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This time, it won't end in tie
By BRANT JAMES, Times Staff Writer LEESBURG -- The two teams will ride a school bus another hour or more to continue a rivalry that began back in Spring Hill on the youth fields where most of Springstead and Central High's players met, competed and became friends. Delta Woods Park -- in old jerseys and hand-picked teams -- would be more comfortable, but for formality's sake, the Eagles and Bears will compete at Leesburg High at 7 p.m. for the Class 3A, District 7 title. Friendship or not, their competitive nature and pride clearly divide loyalties by team color. "When we won (a district title) two years ago, it was the best feeling I've had in a long time and I'd love to have it again," said Springstead defender Mike Sullivan, exchanging a postgame hug between semifinals Wednesday with Central's Carlos Rodriguez. "Especially against them." As district finalists, both teams advance to region play. As students at schools where both soccer fields are under repair and unplayable, neither team's players will earn a pure home-field playoff game by winning. Each team has much to gain. For Springstead (15-2-2), a win would be validation for a sometimes-dominant season. For the Bears (16-3-2) a title would mean they beat the Eagles for the first time in school history. "I can't wait," said Central forward George Kirshy, who scored three goals in the 6-2 semifinal win over Leesburg. "Most of us are friends with them but know we haven't ever beaten them, and hopefully this will be the first time." "Nobody's going to come this far and just be happy where you are," Bears coach John Andruss said. Anticipation of this rematch is higher than usual for a district final because the teams tied, 1-1 and 2-2, in their regular-season meetings. "It's nice to play them because the boys know each other and I've known John a long time, but this is the rubber match," Springstead coach Sal Calabrese said. "You can't play to a tie this time." Each team enters the final in a different mood. Springstead did not execute its ball-possession style well in a 3-1 win over fifth-seeded Ridgewood and won with typically sound defense as the Rams came unraveled mentally. Calabrese, therefore, was inclined to believe a tough pre-finals test might help his team. "Hopefully that'll shake us up, because we need it," he said. Central scored three early goals and was able to glide after the first 25 minutes. "I would have liked a harder match, but the boys came out and played well," Andruss said. Springstead and Central approach games much the same way. Both are sound defensively -- the Eagles especially so, allowing 0.84 goals per game -- and are stout in the midfield. Central midfielder Sean O'Sullivan, a lanky playmaker who leads the North Suncoast with 30 goals, is of prime concern to Calabrese. "We need to keep him from coming forward on the play too much, because he's developed into a good finisher," he said. "If we can do that, we might have a shot." Calabrese said he will not assign one player to shadow O'Sullivan, which is fine with Springstead's Sullivan, the small but physical pest of the defense. "You just basically need to contain him," Sullivan said, respectfully. "Sean is the playmaker and Carlos is the workhorse up top. And Sean might not seem like it, but he really is strong on the ball. "If you bump him, he's going to bump you back, too," he said. "You can't knock him off the ball, so the best thing you can do is push him outside and make sure he cannot get in tight on you." That'll be a challenge, certainly, but that, Sullivan said, makes this game special. "That's what you look for in soccer -- a challenge," he said. "We get to play them three or four times a year. They're in our county. We know each other. We go against each other in club. "They're just really good, good competition. Playing a team like Leesburg doesn't prepare us for regionals. Playing a team like Central does." -- Staff writer Brant James can be reached at (800) 333-7505, ext. 1407. Send e-mail to brant@sptimes.com. Class 3A-7 FINALWHO: No. 1 Springstead (15-2-2) vs. No. 2 Central (16-3-2). WHERE: Leesburg High. WHEN: 7 p.m. ON THE LINE: Springstead can win its second district title in two years. Central can beat Springstead for the first time in the school's 13-year history. The teams tied in both of their regular season meetings. DEFENSE: Springstead's strength is here, in a unit lead by tenacious senior Mike Sullivan and goalkeeper Dan Calabrese that has allowed an average of 0.84 goals per game. MIDFIELD: Both teams have quality scoring and playmaking tandems. Central's Sean O'Sullivan, who leads the North Suncoast with 30 goals, is the most dangerous player on the field. He set the Bears' single-season assist record last season and has joined the attack more as a senior -- and done it very well. Position-mate Carlos Rodriguez also stands out for the Bears. Springstead is led by nimble Greg Emmerman (co-team-leading nine goals) and Bobby Colon, who scored on a penalty kick in a 3-1 semifinal win over Ridgewood on Wednesday. FORWARD: Give Central the what-have-you-done-for-me-lately edge. George Kirshy scored three times Wednesday to raise his season total to 17. Springstead has gotten nine goals each from Ian Haselbarth and Jordan Magrini.
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