Feb 6, 2001 - 11:27 AM

Gators on a roll, Panthers in the way
JASON VETTER Tribune correspondent

LAND O' LAKES - The Gators host Plant in a matchup of two teams starved for playoff success.

Land O' Lakes is making its eighth appearance in nine seasons in the regional playoffs. In five of the last seven years, the Gators have gone home after one match.

Armed with what she believes is her best team ever, Gators coach Vicky King believes they can hang around awhile. The Gators (22-5-1) host Plant (12-6) in a Class 3A-Region 3 quarterfinal tonight.

Land O' Lakes enters having knocked off Countryside and East Lake in last week's District 9 tournament - teams that swept the Gators during the regular season.

``This is probably the best team we've ever had here,'' King said. ``Still, we're very, very young.''

Stopper Emily Sarginger is the Gators' only senior starter. Nonetheless, Land O' Lakes isn't taking this season for granted, especially since it has had the proper mindset for playoff success.

``We've had a team this year that only looks at one game at a time,'' King said. ``That's how we've progressed.''

The Panthers enter the match with a playoff resume similar to the Gators, having lost their first regional match each of the last two seasons. They're happy with this season's opponent after losing to state champion Palm Harbor last season and state runner-up Sarasota in 1999.

``Land O' Lakes is a very good team, don't get me wrong,'' Plant coach Rob Nelson said. ``But we're glad not to be playing Palm Harbor.''

The Panthers feature a one-prong scoring attack in Janessa Taddei, who is second in Hillsborough County with 27 goals and 60 points. She missed the District 10 final against King after re-aggravating an ankle injury. The Panthers were drilled 5-2, their fourth loss of the season to the Lions.

``I would guess she'll be ready to go [tonight],'' Nelson said. ``She'd better be.''

Nelson's main focus is Gators forward Stacy Bishop, who leads Pasco County with 99 points. King will play forward Casie Poyssick (39 goals) in the back to mark Taddei, leaving Bishop as the main scoring threat.

``I might go one or two [mark-ups] on Bishop and take my chances,'' Nelson said.

King used Taddei in the same fashion against Countryside and East Lake and the Gators allowed just one goal in the two matches.

Maggie Barthel started at forward on Friday and scored a goal. With 17 of the 19 players on the roster having a goal this season, King doesn't know who'll start alongside Bishop tonight.

``We have plenty of offense,'' she said. ``We have a number of forwards and midfielders capable of scoring. We're very well-rounded.''

The Gators' biggest advantage in hosting the match could be that Pasco County fields are about 10 yards wider than Hillsborough fields. King doesn't see Plant coming to a bigger field as a problem but Nelson said the Panthers struggled at first on a similar size field in Sarasota.

``It definitely matters,'' Nelson said. ``We're used to playing in a small area. In more space, you have to watch your marking.''

(CHART) Tonight's Game

-- What: Class 3A-Region 3 quarterfinal

-- Who: Land O' Lakes (22-5-1) vs. Plant (12-6)

-- When: 7:30

-- Where: Gator Stadium, Land O' Lakes

-- Admission: $5

-- Analysis: The Gators should be able to handle the Plant scoring attack, which is limited to forward Janessa Taddei. Plant, on the other hand, will have to contend with a balanced offense with that features Stacy Bishop (36 goals) and Casie Poyssick (39 goals).