Heather beats heat, Trident

By TROY JOHNSON
© St. Petersburg Times, published June 26, 1998

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The 98-degree heat and the relentless pressure of two-time national champion Tampa Bay Heather exacted its toll on South Carolina's Trident United in the second half.

Midfielder Danielle Rust paced Tampa Bay, scoring the first of her two goals in the 18th minute and the other in the final minute.

Angelica Herron gave Tampa Bay a 2-0 lead 23 minutes into the second half.

Tampa Bay coach Danielle Fotopoulos said her team benefitted from a change in style and tempo.

"In the beginning we were playing more of a long-ball type of game and it was killing us because we got tired out," Fotopoulos said. "We went back to a more controlled game, keeping the ball on the ground, and it paid off for us."

Goalkeeper Kalli Kamholz preserved the shutout by making a pair of difficult saves. She stuffed a one-on-one attempt early in the first half and stopped a free kick attempt late in the second half.

"The one-on-one stop was a big-time save," Fotopoulos said.

Chargers facing daunting task

By BOB PUTNAM
© St. Petersburg Times, published June 26, 1998

For most of the season, the Clearwater Chargers have been able to solve most problems presented to its 14-under girls team.

Take away most of the players from last year's team, which advanced to the next age division after winning the state title last year?

No problem. Coach Robert Cosentino reloaded, gathering enough talented players to make it to the Florida Youth Soccer Association state cup last month.

Take on a team that has been a rival for years and played stingy defense in the final of the state cup?

No problem. The Chargers scored early on a defensive mistake by the Coral Springs Storm. Sarah Wright crossed to the middle and the Storm's goalkeeper could not clear the ball. Chargers midfielder Gabriela Farkasfalvy took advantage, stealing the ball and putting it in the right corner for a 1-0 victory.

But take a young team to Columbus, Ga. for the United States YSA Region III playoffs as the state representative and expose players to the pomp and circumstance of the event? Now there could be a problem.

That is the task for Cosentino. The 14-under teams in the organization have won the state tournament four years in a row. But to make it farther, he has to make sure his team is ready.

"We don't know a lot about the other teams, but we have an idea which ones are strong," Cosentino said. "We have to be focused and not get caught up in the ceremonies and let ourselves be put on pedestals. The reputation for Florida is well and we're looking to have a strong showing. We have to take each game like it's a final."

The Chargers will rely on Nicole Matuska, Carly Goldich, Jackie Kenig and Gabriella Farkasfalvy during the regional tournament today and Saturday.

The Chargers, along with the Largo Heather 16-under girls team, the Countryside Lightning's 18-under girls team and the Tampa Bay Heather 19-under girls team, will play this weekend. The winners in each age bracket advance to the USYSA national finals in Phoenix next month.

The Tampa Bay Kickers advanced to the regionals with a 3-2 victory over the Parkland Predators at the state cup. Tampa's Jeff Brattain, who was FYSA coach of the year in 1995, coached the Kickers.

Largo Heather earned the first state title ever for the organization with a 4-2 victory over the Manatee Magic. Key players include Erin Doak, Lindsey Hawkins and Erin Bitterli.

The Countryside Lightning won 2-1 in a double overtime victory over FC America Kumba (Orlando) on a goal by East Lake's Julie Lechner to advance to regionals. Sweeper Cecily Noblit, who will attend the University of North Florida in the fall, has come up big on defense for Countryside. The team also has offensive power with Marissa Venuti, Jill Stevens and Ginger Sellick.

East Lake's Whitney Singer and the Tampa Bay Heather won an All-Tampa Bay final 1-0 over Blackwatch Stirling at state. Other local players include Kelly Blaggie and Katie Calvin.