By Jeff Odom
Wiregrass Ranch girls soccer coach Eddy Costa admits he was teary-eyed watching his seven seniors walk off the home field Jan. 9.
The Bulls (17-2) defeated Ridgewood 8-0 during their senior night to finish the regular season undefeated at home for the first time in the program’s seven-year history. The seniors are also the winningest senior class for Wiregrass Ranch, compiling a 69-15-3 record the last four years.
“I knew coming into the school this season that they were going to have a good team,” said first-year Bulls coach Eddy Costa. He added, “Emotionally as a coach and as a man, getting tears in my eyes was a little different for me, but these kids are a great group of girls.”
Wiregrass Ranch dominated offensively throughout the game, scoring five goals on 11 shots in the first half. The Bulls were led by seniors Berlin Waters (two goals, one assist), Anne Cypriano (two goals) and A.J. Blount (one goal, two assists).
Waters scored both of her goals in the first half, and came close to her third hat trick of the season when she sent a ball over the crossbar in the 33rd minute. She said senior night was bittersweet.
“I’m ecstatic, and I’m just so sad, but I mean it’s great winning a game like this and going out there and having fun with my team,” said Waters, a Saint Leo University commit. “We’re all such good friends, and we’ve all done a great job this season. It’s relieving to end (our home schedule) on a good note.”
Blount, whose goal came off a redirected shot from senior Ashley Murphy in the 20th minute, said she tried to set aside the emotions to focus on the game, but felt it settle in afterward.
“I’m just really happy that I have a team that’s backing me up and just supporting me throughout it all,” said Blount, a University of South Florida commit. “Just knowing that we’re all together again and we’re all happy is just an amazing feeling.”
After a pair of quick goals by Cypriano to open the second half, Costa held back the offense and focused on his team’s defense in preparation for the Class 4A-District 8 tournament at Steinbrenner Jan. 15 to 18. The Bulls are the No. 1 seed in the event.
After some pleading from his team, Costa allowed senior goalkeeper Dayton Wetherby to quickly change uniforms and switch positions so she could play the field.
His decision paid off less than two minutes later as Wetherby found the back of the net in the 64th minute to end the game.
“First goal I’ve ever scored in high school,” said Wetherby, a Navy commit. “I was like coach, ‘Put me in, put me in, put me in,’ and he did, and I’m just ecstatic. My team talked about it at the half and with the coaches, and they wanted to let me score a goal, and I’ve been in the net all four years, so it’s awesome. I love them all.”
Costa said though the win was special, it’s going to take more to possibly hoist the program’s second district title and make a deep postseason run.
“I think all that matters is what’s inside the crest of the (jersey),” Costa said. “Who wants to play for that pride, and who’s going to push themselves a little bit further to get the school a district championship? … It’s been a long season, but we still have a long, hard journey ahead.”
