Feb 2, 2001 - 06:37 PM

Bulldogs, Gators facing tough tests
DAVE WALTERS Tribune correspondent

ZEPHYRHILLS - The Bulldogs have to pick it up against Springstead, while the Gators need to keep their roll going against East Lake.

Zephyrhills' Janet Heyman is wondering which Bulldog team shows up tonight in the Class 2A-8 girls soccer final against Springstead.

If it is the team that played a lackluster second half against Pasco Wednesday at W.F. Edwards Stadium, then there could be a problem.

Zephyrhills (14-4-6) ``squeaked out'' a 2-1 win Wednesday night for the right to play Springstead (13-3-3) for the district title.

``Pasco definitely won the game more than Zephyrhills did,'' Heyman said. ``We didn't play in the second half. Pasco dominated getting every free ball, ever punt and every goal kick.''

Heyman said the Bulldogs appeared content with a 2-0 first-half lead and let down in the second 40 minutes.

The Bulldogs got their two goals from Renee Yonkoff and Katie Duval, but after that the Pirates spent most of the night in the Zephyrhills end.

``The attitude is we have to play better,'' Heyman said.

They will need to play better to handle the Eagles ball skills and speed up front. The defense will have its hands full with speedy forwards Chrissi Tapia and Christina Magid.

In two previous meeting, Springstead won 3-1 and the teams tied at two in the second meeting.

``We have to go back to basics,'' Heyman said. ``We have to communicate better and have our passes go to our team.''

Zephyrhills is led by Yonkoff's 21 goals and Joslynn Willis' 14 goals and Allie Beasman's 10.

Beasman missed the Pasco game with illness and returns to the lineup tonight.

``I missed her because she sets up my offense,'' Heyman said. ``I lost some of my speed up front. We'll have more support in the midfield with her in there.''

Class 3A-9: Land O' Lakes earned a spot in the district final with a 2-1 in the semifinal as well, but Vicky King will not call her team's effort uninspired.

The No. 3 seed Gators downed No. 2 Countryside Wednesday to set up a showdown tonight with East Lake at Ridgewood's Rams Booster Stadium. East Lake edged River Ridge in double overtime for a 1-0 win.

``We've won district championships before, but tonight was like a district championship,'' King said following the dramatic win.

The drama unfolded with under two minutes to play when Stacy Bishop scored her second goal of the game on a free kick over the defense and into the net.

The Gators entered Wednesday's game as the underdog and will do the same against East Lake.

East Lake coach John Planamenta knows the Gators are team to take seriously. The Eagles have beaten Land O' Lakes 3-1 and 1-0 in two previous meetings.

Defender Stephanie Prince will have the responsibility of shadowing Bishop (34 goals, 26 assists) while Planamenta will have two players rotating their coverage on Casie Poyssick (39 goals, 5 assists).

``We have enough confidence we can handle them,'' Planamenta said. ``They are strong players, but we have tough players who are tough in the back.''

(CHART) At A Glance

-- What: Class 3A-District 9 girls soccer championship

-- Who: (3) Land O' Lakes vs. (1) East Lake

-- When: Tonight, 6

-- Where: Ridgewood High, New Port Richey

-- What: Class 2A-District 8 girls soccer championship

-- Who: (1) Springstead vs. (2) Pasco

-- When: Tonight, 7

-- Where: Pasco High, Dade City