Jan 10,
2001 - 05:59 PM
A look at midseason prep boys soccer
LAND O' LAKES - The second
half of the boys soccer season kicked off on Monday the same way it began: Land
O' Lakes posting a 2-0 victory.
The Gators defeated River
Ridge 2-0 on Nov. 15 and did the same to Zephyrhills on Monday. Land O' Lakes
has proven to be far superior than its county opponents. Still, River Ridge,
Ridgewood and surprising Gulf all believe an upset in the district playoffs is
possible.
And, Mitchell believes the
first win in school history could come at any time. Here is a midseason glance
with all records and statistics through Jan. 7.
Gulf
Record: 12-6-0, 7-4-0 SAC,
2-4-0 Class 3A-District 8
Leading scorer: Alex Maric,
45 points (16 goals, 13 assists)
Leading goalkeeper: Kyle
Myers, 4 shutouts, 1.00 GAA
Second-half analysis: The
Bucs are the sleeper in 3A-8. They were one goal away from the state playoffs
last season and have an improved record this year. Losing sweeper Jeremy
Villiard for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament could be a
knockout blow. Also, starting goalkeeper Troy Pedraza was dismissed from the
team after a disagreement with coaches, moving Myers into the lineup.
Prediction: District
semifinalist.
Hudson
Record: 11-5-1, 5-3-1 SAC,
6-1-1 2A-8
Leading scorer: Billy
Boyko, 49 points (18 goals, 13 assists)
Leading goalkeeper: Robby
Mahler, 6 shutouts, 1.11 GAA
Second-half analysis: The
return of Jarle Thy (17 goals, 13 assists) from injury gives the Cobras four
quality offensive players, along with Boyko, Robert Pollock and Morton Frette.
Defense will be the deciding factor in the playoffs.
Prediction: District
champion, regional finalist.
Land O' Lakes
Record: 16-2-1, 9-0-1 SAC,
7-0-0 Class 3A-District 8
Leading scorer: Kyle
Crawford, 38 points (13 goals, 12 assists)
Leading goalkeeper: Greg
Kline, 11 shutouts, 0.58 goals-against average
Second-half analysis: The
Gators are well on their way to another deep playoff run. J.P. Rodriguez
anchors a strong defense in front of an even stronger keeper in Kline.
Crawford, Justin Read and Eric Martin all have scored in double figures in
goals, giving Land O' Lakes a balanced offense.
Prediction: District
champion, state finalist
Mitchell
Record: 0-13-1, 0-9-1 SAC,
0-8 2A-8
Leading scorer: Jarrod
Madonna, 7 points (2 goals, 3 assists)
Leading goalkeeper: No
information available.
Second-half analysis: The
Mustangs' second half is all about one thing: winning the first match in school
history. The lone chance could come on the final day of the regular season,
Jan. 24 at Wesley Chapel.
Prediction: District first
round.
Pasco
Record: 4-7-3, 1-5-3 SAC,
3-4-1 2A-8
Leading scorer: Eric
Barnes, 30 points (12 goals, 6 assists)
Leading goalkeeper: Gilbert
Montelongo, 4 shutouts, 1.46 GAA
Second-half analysis: The
Pirates have shown ability with a win against Springstead and tie against Land
O' Lakes. Still, lack of firepower around Barnes limits the Pirates' offense
too much to pull a playoff upset.
Prediction: District first
round.
Ridgewood
Record: 6-7-2, 5-3-1 SAC,
1-5-1 3A-8
Leading scorer: Jason
Meyers, 30 points (13 goals, 4 assists)
Leading goalkeeper: Pat
Lynch, 1 shutout, 2.5 GAA
Second-half analysis:
Though Meyers and Gus Kalathakis came back from injury, starting goalkeeper
Sean Sendra is likely out for the season with ligament damage in his knee.
Lynch, a sophomore, was called up from junior varsity to replace Sendra.
Lynch's play could decide the fate of the improving Rams in the playoffs.
Prediction: District
semifinalist.
River Ridge
Record: 9-4-2, 7-3-1 SAC,
3-3-1 3A-8
Leading scorer: Kevin
O'Dell, 26 points (9 goals, 8 assists)
Leading goalkeeper: Paul
Clapson, 8 shutouts, 0.75 GAA
Second-half analysis:
Clapson in goal and O'Dell and Dylan Tennant up front have given the Knights
the talent to play with anyone in the state as evidenced by a win against state
finalist Coconut Creek during the holiday break. Consistency is the Knights'
problem.
Prediction: District
runner-up, regional finalist.
Wesley Chapel
Record: 3-11-3, 0-9-2 SAC,
2-2-1 1A-7
Leading scorer: Mike
Camunas, 11 points (5 goals, 1 assist)
Leading goalkeeper: Tim
Davis, 0 shutouts, 4.34 goals-against average
Second-half analysis:
Believe it or not, the second-year Wildcats, who scored a total of two goals
last season, are tied for first place in the district. That will change when
Tampa Catholic plays more matches, but the second-year team is showing
improvement.
Prediction: District first
round.
Zephyrhills
Record: 9-7-2, 5-3-2 SAC,
5-2-2 2A-8
Leading scorer: John
Briscoe, 65 points (28 goals, 9 assists)
Leading goalkeeper: Eric
Cortwright, 3 shutouts, 1.35 GAA
Second-half analysis: Even
with Briscoe leading the county in scoring, Coach Phillip Castro said the
Bulldogs need to finish more chances to be successful in the playoffs. Chris
Hinkle and Kyle Briscoe must also step up on offense when teams focus on taking
John out of matches.
Prediction: District
semifinalist