A look at the regional finals

March 13, 1998

Class 6A, North I
No. 7 Lake Mary (21-5) at East Lake (19-1-1), 7 p.m.


Neil Hildenbrand has produced winning goals for East Lake in both of its regional playoff games. The Eagles may need several scores to beat Lake Mary, a team that is averaging seven goals per game in the playoffs. On the other hand, the East Lake defense has not allowed more than two goals in any game this year, and sweeper Josh Laws and GK Adam Hilderbrandt aren't about to let up now.


Class 5A, South I
No. 1 St. Thomas Aquinas (26-2-3) at No. 5 Largo (16-2-4), 7 p.m.


Top-ranked Aquinas is led by Parade All-American striker Sheldon Barnes. Playmaking midfielder John Cavervo is also a threat. Meanwhile, the Largo defense of Chris Mitchell, Bryan Black, and Steve Borkowski along with goalie James Manfull has not allowed a goal in post season play. Packer forward Russell Vreeland went out with an ankle injury against Jenkins in the semifinal and is questionable for tonight's game. That will leave more of the scoring burden on Joe Valencia.


Class 4A, South II
No. 7 Osceola (13-2-3) at No. 2 Cardinal Gibbons (17-3-2), 7 p.m. (Pompano Beach Stadium).


Osceola's only losses have been to top-ranked Jesuit. The Warriors have already won two games on the road in regionals. This marks the furthest Osceola has been in post season play. Murray Willingham and Chris Huber will need to generate some offense up front, aided by the playmaking of Mike Servis and Tony Mione in the middle. Cardinal Gibbons and Jesuit have vied for the top spot in the poll all year. In December's prestigious McKinley Financial tournament, the Redskins topped 6A regional finalist Miami Beach 2-1 but lost to semifinalist Spanish River.


Class 3A, South II
No. 2 Gulliver Prep (23-2) at No. 8 Clearwater Central Catholic (14-9-1), 8 p.m.


CCC coach Jim Harte said he has a plan for stopping Gulliver star Luchi Gonzales, but the Marauders can't forget about high-scoring forwards Alfredo Suarez and Alex Casabielle either. CCC will need Chris Reardon and Fernando Bleichner to step up their play in the midfield if any plan's going to succeed. CCC forward Myles McAllister scored the first goal of the season against the stingy Raider defense on Jan. 24. He hopes to score the last as well.

©1998 St. Petersburg Times


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