Warriors look for second district title in school history
By Kyle LoJacono
Staff Writer
LUTZ — New high school teams usually struggle for years before wins become common, but Steinbrenner is bucking that trend.
The Warriors (11-0-2) were not only undefeated through 13 games, but did not allow more than one goal in any contest and recorded nine straight shutouts.
“Most of us have played together on a club team, so we had a lot of good chemistry right away,” said Kaitlyn Huntzinger, a defender and co-captain. “That helped us be a stronger team because we trusted each other from the beginning. On the backline we know exactly what everyone is going to do and where they will be.”
The club team that about half the Warriors play on is Hillsborough County United. Huntzinger played at Sickles last year and lives in Lutz.
The chemistry is not just apparent on defense for Steinbrenner. The offense is averaging 5.3 goals per game and has outscored its opponents by a whopping 69-3 margin.
“We thought we’d be able to be a good team this year because we had players coming form good high school and middle school programs,” said Cici Gonzalez, a co-captain and forward. “The fact that most of us have played together for years has really helped our offense. We know when to move the ball up and when to try and grind the clock away.”
Gonzalez, who lives in Odessa and played at Sickles last season, tallied 15 goals and 16 assists through 13 games.
“When I have a shot I take it, but when I see a teammate with a better chance I’ll pass it to them,” Gonzalez said. “It doesn’t matter to me who gets the goal as long as we put points up on the scoreboard.”
Other double-digit goal scorers for the Warriors include freshman Alexis Bredeau and Taylor Valley, a sophomore, who have 14 and 12 goals, respectively.
“Our goal total would lead you to think that we’re constantly trying to score all the time, but we really like to keep the ball and only go forward when we think the time is right,” Steinbrenner coach Teresa Patterson said. “The thing we always say is ‘We’re Steinbrenner and we set the pass.’”
Patterson coached Gaither last season and is no stranger to starting soccer programs. She was the first coach at Marshall University and an assistant on the first team at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Before that, Patterson was a goalkeeper at Largo High and also played at Mercer University. As a former netminder she knows the importance of a good defense.
“Our defense doesn’t get enough credit for how they’ve shut down the competition,” Patterson said. “To mercy-rule (leading by at least eight goals in the second half, which leads to a game being called early) six teams means they’re doing something right.”
It would be difficult for the Warriors to play much better, but it seems the new squad still has something to prove. According to Patterson and her players, many believe Steinbrenner’s record is a result of a weak schedule.
“We don’t really know how good we are yet,” Patterson said. “You don’t learn a lot about yourself by winning 8-0 all the time. We won our last game 3-1 and that showed me something, but our next big test won’t come until the district tournament.”
That last win for the Warriors was the championship game of the Sarasota Holiday Classic against Miami Dade City Christian during the winter break.
Steinbrenner seems on track for a high seed in the Class 4A, District 9 tournament. While a district title would be special for the new program, it would not be the first in Warrior history.
The Steinbrenner volleyball team won the 4A-9 championship in October, which has helped fuel the girls soccer team’s success.
“We saw the volleyball team win a district title and get a home playoff (match), and we want to do the same thing,” Patterson said.
Huntzinger said of a playoff push, “Our main goal is to win our district. We want to prove ourselves by getting to the playoffs and face the best competition. We want to make Steinbrenner known for our girls soccer program.”
The Warriors finish the regular season with a trip to fellow new school and district foe Strawberry Crest on Jan. 15.
“It is a very special team,” Patterson said. “I’m excited about what these young ladies can do and it’s an honor to work with them.”
