By Kyle LoJacono
More than just a win was on the line when Gaither boys soccer traveled to Steinbrenner Dec. 4.
The contest will likely be critical when it comes to seeding in the Class 4A-District 8 tournament next month, but the Warriors (5-0-2, 2-2) and Cowboys (3-5-2, 1-1-2) were also looking for bragging rights over their cross-town rival.
“It’s like FSU and UF football teams,” said Gaither senior forward Tyler Helm. “It’s one of the biggest games for us each year.”
The game ended 1-1, but both teams had multiple chances for more goals. The physical, frenetic and passionate play was brought on as much by the importance of the game in the district standings, but also how connected the teams are.
Almost all the players are members of Tampa Bay United. The club’s executive director is Eric Sims, who is also Gaither’s coach.
“Every game against Gaither is good,” said Steinbrenner coach Chad Ebright. “These boys grew up playing against each other, so it’s always competitive.”
This year’s contest was even more hotly contested because it was the first time the squads have matched up since Gaither knocked Steinbrenner out of playoff contention in the 4A-8 semifinals in January.
“We’ve all played with each other throughout middle school and high school at TBU,” said Warriors senior midfielder Logan Siben. “It’s a rivalry for that, and especially because they kicked us out of districts last year. It’s always going to be a rivalry with us and them. If we’re 10 times better than them, or they’re 10 times better than us, it’s always going to be a tough game.”
Steinbrenner entered the contest undefeated and untied, while Gaither was a game below .500. Sims said he was proud how his inexperienced squad hung in against the Warriors.
“They were 5-0 and return a lot of players, so it was a good measuring stick game for us,” Sims said. “I think a lot of our young guys grew up tonight, which was important. … At the end of the day it was a tie. We didn’t win, but it’s a good result for us.”
The Cowboys lost more than half of their starters from last year’s squad that won a district championship and made the final four. Helm said they have turned the corner after losing their first four games.
“The seniors are coming together and help the younger players,” Helm said. “The first couple of weeks the freshmen didn’t know that this is completely different from club. It’s much more physical and the refs don’t call things as tight.”
Steinbrenner pushed the attack early against Gaither, but the Cowboys’ defense held tough. Sims started Jared Gremely, Justin Santos, Ricardo Rivera and Juan Moreno on the backline, along with goalkeeper Kyle Smith, all of who are seniors.
“I felt like the seniors, with their experience, would keep us in it, and they did,” Sims said. “We just had to disrupt their possession, and the important thing is we didn’t let them have that third pass. They’d get two and we’d steal it.”
The Warriors broke through nine minutes after halftime.
Freshman defender Brett Wilkosz kept the ball in on a clearing attempted by the Cowboys. Siben picked up the loose ball, sprinted down the right sideline and fired a strong cross that was buried home by senior midfielder Austin Labban.
Siben had been sidelined for nearly three weeks with a pulled hamstring and was helped to the bench after the goal.
Gaither answered in the 60th minute when freshman midfielder Nicholas Ortiz kicked forward the ball deep in Warriors territory.
Senior midfielder Jhonathan Da Silva gathered the ball and found Helm, who fired a rocket for the equalizer.
“We gave a great effort,” Ebright said. “We had about five minutes after we scored that we fell back and tried to protect the lead instead of doing what got us ahead. Give it to Gaither. They came out hard for the tying goal.”
The Warriors picked up the pace in the final minutes, but the Cowboys backline again rose to the occasion.
“We were down pat on that defense,” Helm said. “We’ve been focusing on defensive shape and team defense with a purpose these last few games, and it worked.”
Smith had eight saves, while Steinbrenner junior goalkeeper Christian Knight had six.
Gaither hosts Hillsborough Dec. 11 before traveling to 4A-8 rival Freedom Dec. 14. The Warriors play at Plant City Dec. 11 and at district rival Chamberlain Dec. 14. All games start at 8 p.m.
Warriors shut out Gaither, clinch No. 2 seed
By Kyle LoJacono
The Steinbrenner girls soccer team picked up its second 4-0 victory in as many games by defeating Class 4A-District 8 rival Gaither at home Dec. 4.
The Warriors (6-4, 3-1) beat Robinson four days earlier with only two regular starters because many were out of state in various showcase tournaments.
The win over the Cowboys (3-5-1, 2-2), mixed with a 7-1 victory at Sickles Dec. 7, locked up the No. 2 district seed for Steinbrenner.
The win Dec. 4 also put the Warriors above .500 for the first time in two weeks.
“It was big, not only because it was a district game, but it starts the second half of our season,” said junior midfielder Dani Eule. “We’re getting players back from injuries, and we needed to make our mark as we go toward districts.”
The Warriors have been shorthanded by injuries throughout the year. Most of the players were back on the pitch against Gaither, which senior forward Alexis Bredeau said was a mental lift.
“We were without a lot of players to start the season, which of course isn’t an excuse,” Bredeau said. “We bonded with the players who filled in, and now that we’re getting everyone back I think it’s made us stronger. We have such great connections. With Miranda (Gonzalez) coming back, and one of our freshmen, Melissa Carroll, is back from a hip injury, so having them all on the field is a great advantage.”
Steinbrenner coach Angela Gillisse said the return of Gonzalez, who missed the first seven games with a torn hamstring, gave the team a huge confidence boost. The junior defender also played in the win against Robinson.
“All the girls who were gone when she played against Robinson were texting me saying, ‘Oh my gosh Miranda played,’” Gillisse said. “Tonight, for everyone to be here and see her play is big. She’s a huge leader. The attitude changes when she’s out there. It’s a complete 180 with her. They all want to work harder when she’s out there, so her presence is huge.”
Steinbrenner was without starting goalkeeper Stephanie Hirsch because of a groin injury. Senior Eleanor Wilson stepped into the net for the second straight game and recorded consecutive shutouts by making five saves.
“Walking away from that game against Robinson without nine starters I felt like it was the turning point,” Gillisse said. “Eleanor shut them out for a whole 80 minutes in goal, and it gave everyone confidence.”
The Warriors dominated possession for much of the first half, but the Cowboys defense held strong until the 26th minute thanks to senior midfielder Marley Opila’s second goal of the year.
Steinbrenner added another goal in the final minute before halftime when freshman forward Danielle Darius buried home a cross from senior midfielder Lauren Garris.
Bredeau scored her 12th and 13th goals of the season in the 66th and 88th minutes. She was sent on runs by through balls from Eule on both tallies.
“Dani did exactly what she’s supposed to as a center mid,” Opila said. “She distributed the ball out for our forwards to score.”
Gaither junior goalkeeper Amanda High made 15 saves.
The Warriors continued their offensive explosion with a 7-1 win at Sickles Dec. 7.
Bredeau (16 goals, 10 assists) had three goals in the contest and has put up seven in the last three games. Sophomore forward Jessica Taylor (10 goals, nine assists) also had three tallies in the contest, while Eule (five goals, six assists) found the back of the net once.
Wilson started in net against the Gryphons and recorded one save.
Steinbrenner plays at Plant City Dec. 11 and at district rival Chamberlain Dec. 14. Gaither hosts Hillsborough Dec. 11 before traveling to 4A-8 rival Freedom Dec. 14. All games start at 8 p.m.
