Pirates battle emotional week

CRYSTAL RIVER -- Good and bad news has been flowing into Crystal River in equal parts the past seven days.

How that will affect the Pirates (14-3-2) entering tonight's region quarterfinal against Gulf remains to be seen.

"I like our chances if we play 80 minutes like we played the second half against Citrus," said Crystal River coach Bobby Verlato, whose team beat the Hurricanes 5-1 on four second-half goals. "But this has been a tumultuous week for before a big game."

The tumult began Jan. 30 when Pirates forward John Wester (21 goals) and defender Morgan Rise were red-carded and ejected from a win over Dunnellon for participating in a fight.

Wester and Rise could have missed the rest of the season if their actions were deemed to be "gross unsportsmanlike conduct" by the Florida High School Activities Association.

However, Crystal River sent in tapes of the fracas, and the FHSAA came back with a much kinder ruling. It overturned a suspension of Rise and suspended Wester for just two games.

More good news came when stopper Brad Deitemeyer, out for most of the season with a broken foot, was cleared to play against Citrus. Deitemeyer had two assists in the win.

"That was really uplifting for the guys," Verlato said. "He played well, but you could tell he was a little winded."

Then came the bad news.

Deitemeyer (six goals, 10 assists) became ill with appendicitis over the weekend and had to have his appendix removed Tuesday. He's resting well at Seven Rivers Hospital in Crystal River, but is lost for the postseason.

"As a coach, it's frustrating," Verlato said. "He's a senior and a vital part of the team. When we got Brad back, we thought we'd be at full strength and that everything would be fine.

"But this is more than a situation where we lost a great player," Verlato said. "I feel bad for the guy, genuinely as a person, to see him have to go out like that."

Verlato will have Rise to count on. The junior filled in for Deitemeyer for much of the season and will be needed at stopper to help contain Gulf's speed.

Meanwhile, freshman Justin Fruh played well in place of Wester against the 'Canes. Fruh is expected in the lineup tonight.

"(Fruh) ran with the offense well and did what we wanted him to do," Verlato said. "He's got a lot of natural ability up there, and he wasn't fazed by being in a district championship game."

Another concern for Crystal River is Gulf's speed. The Buccaneers (13-6-4) have played a top-notch schedule and are sparked by senior Alex Maric, who leads the North Suncoast with 40 goals and 18 assists.

"Citrus played them pretty tight," Verlato said of the Bucs.

"They're very fast, and they use a lot of ball control," he said. "They have more losses than us, but they've played a tougher schedule, too."

GULF AT CRYSTAL RIVER

WHEN: Tonight, 7:30.

WINNER PLAYS: Daytona Beach Seabreeze-Jacksonville Bartram Trail winner Tuesday.

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