Place an Ad Calendars Classified Forums Sports Weather

sptimes.com Text-only News sections Arts & Entertainment AP The Wire Business Citrus County Columnists Floridian Hernando County Hillsborough Letters Movies Neighborhood Times News Update North Pinellas North of Tampa Obituaries Opinion Pasco County South Pinellas Sports State Tampa Bay TV Times World & Nation  Find your local news section Weekly sections Brandon Times City Times Homes Outdoors Perspective Personal Tech Taste Travel Weekend Xpress Special Sections Arena football Buccaneers College football Devil Rays Lightning Police reports Schools Seniority Subscriber Services Subscribe Renew Help Advertise Place an ad In print Online Market Info Join Us Internships Scholarships Times Jobs Contact us

Late goal keeps Eagles perfect

Springstead wins 1-0 against Gulf to earn a matchup with Palm Harbor University, the only other undefeated team in the tournament.

By STEVE LEE, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published January 3, 2002

NEW PORT RICHEY -- Springstead kept its unbeaten record intact, while the host team took the first step toward its title defense in the Ridgewood Winter Soccer Tournament on Wednesday.

Jordan Magrini's goal with 10 minutes left in the game lifted the Eagles (12-0-1) to a 1-0 win against Gulf (11-4-3) in the opener. The victory earned Springstead a second-round game against Palm Harbor University (10-0-2), the only other unbeaten team in the field.

Ridgewood goalkeeper Sean Sendra recorded his second shutout in Wednesday's final game, a 3-0 win against Tarpon Springs (5-7-2).

In other first-round games, Palm Harbor U. defeated Pasco 5-1 and Wesley Chapel beat Central 2-1.

Today's second-round matchups are: Central (9-3-1) vs. Tarpon Springs at 2 p.m.; Gulf vs. Pasco (5-7-1) at 4 p.m.; Wesley Chapel (3-9-2) vs. Ridgewood (6-6-3) at 6 p.m.; and Springstead vs. PHU at 8 p.m.

Ridgewood went 3-0 in last year's inaugural tournament and Rams coach Ed McComiskey said his team is in prime position to defend its title.

"We're the defending champions," McComiskey said. "The guys want to win this one again. They knew they had to win tonight to go through."

In a heated contest highlighted by numerous collisions, red cards to Tarpon Springs' Jon Overson and Ridgewood's Joe Panetta, and Rams sweeper Dan Druttman being carted off in an ambulance with a concussion, the Rams came up with all the big offensive plays.

Jose Anazco's free kick gave Ridgewood a 1-0 lead in the 34th minute, and, just seconds before halftime, Demos Kalathakis lofted a shot over the head of Spongers keeper Mitch Walker. Adam Eberle had assists on both goals.

In the 76th minute, Steve Mann passed to Tyson Beilan, who tucked a shot under the crossbar from 10 feet. In the Central game, trailing 2-0, the Bears got a late goal from George Kirshy off a feed from Carlos Rodriguez.

Though Central was missing five starters because of family vacations, coach John Andruss wouldn't use that as an excuse for the outcome.

"They worked hard and they kept coming," Andruss said.

Stephen Ryan and Patrick Lane scored goals in the first half for Wesley Chapel with Lane getting an assist on Ryan's goal.

Wildcats keeper Gilbert Montelongo, who has been slowed after hernia surgery, made 11 saves on 13 shots.

"I think he had his best game of the year," Wesley Chapel coach Tim Reardon said of Montelongo.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright