By Kyle LoJacono
The Land O’ Lakes girls soccer team re-established itself as one of the top programs in Tampa Bay this season but was unable to advance past the Class 3A regional quarterfinals on Jan. 24.
The Gators (14-7-3) lost 2-1 at home to Mitchell (20-2-3), but just making it to the postseason was an accomplishment for a squad replacing 13 seniors from the year before.
“We played well tonight,” said 25-year Land O’ Lakes coach Vicky King. “Probably no one expected us to get here. Mitchell is good. They’ve been good all year, but we really challenged them. It’s probably the best team we’ve played all year.”
The Gators missed out on the playoffs last year, snapping an 11-year streak of postseason appearances. The 2011-12 squad came back with vengeance, claiming the program’s first district championship since 2003.
“The seniors missed out on regionals last season, and maybe that made them want it more this year,” King said. “Maybe we were a little too accustomed to being there. It made us hungry and we worked really hard this year. Maybe we weren’t the most talented team, but I think we worked hard. We had a lot of contributors. A lot of players played a lot of different positions.”
King gave credit to the returning players, especially the squad’s seven seniors, for starting a new streak.
“Arielle (Le-Tran) has been a great leader and has been on varsity the last four years,” King said. “Joey (Stewart) really stepped up moving from midfielder to defense. Kelsee (Larson) has played in the back for two years and is versatile, just like Alyssa (Lonsway). Alyssa can play every position on the field.
“Kendra Swetland played well in the midfield tonight, and she’s meant a lot to this team this year,” King continued. “This is the first year she hasn’t been injured and she was awesome for us. She’s a silent player out there, but she contributes so much. In games and practice she never says anything; she just does her job.”
King also credited seniors Carrie Godfrey and Krista Sturm, who didn’t get a lot of playing time but still helped the squad.
“Those two seniors came up to varsity this year and contributed,” King said. “On this team one of the things we talked about is it’s not whether or not you’re on the field as long as you work hard, and I think everyone has done that.”
Junior goalkeeper Ariana Bailey also had the difficult task of replacing a four-year starter in Tara Marshall. Bailey posted 145 saves this year, including 14 against Mitchell.
“It’s tough replacing a four-year starter, and she has been really strong all year,” King said.
Mitchell opened the scoring in the 15th minute when Amanda Hayes put in a rebound after Larson made the initial block.
Le-Tran answered 11 minutes after halftime when she fired a rocket into the top-left corner for her eighth tally on the season. It is only the seventh goal Mustangs goalkeeper Erica Disbrow has allowed all year.
Land O’ Lakes seemed to get new life after Le-Tran put the Gators on the board, peppering Disbrow with three more shots before the second-half water break.
Mitchell regrouped for the winning tally when Danielle Gottwik buried home a loose ball.
