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Citrus gets its revenge

INVERNESS -- Before Wednesday's game against archrival Lecanto, Citrus defender Whitney Gelin, a four-year starter, had scored a grand total of one goal in her career.

She isn't likely to forget No. 2.

On a free kick with 5:10 left in the game, Gelin nailed a perfect strike that sailed over the outstretched arms of Lecanto keeper Jill Burkhart and into the net. The Hurricanes won 1-0.

"I felt in my stomach that I had to step up," Gelin said. "I had trust in my teammates that if I didn't get it in, they would. But I was trying to get it in."

The win was special for Citrus (3-2-2, 3-0 Class 2A, District 7), which lost to Lecanto (3-1-1, 3-1) in last season's district final, the Panthers' first series win in 19 tries.

"We came out so focused," Gelin said.

Gelin's free kick was set up when Lecanto was called for a hand ball.

"She hit a great shot," Panthers coach Kevin Towne said. "She put it right where she needed to."

Neither team had many scoring opportunities, largely because both played well on defense. Citrus managed 10 shots and Lecanto six.

Midway through the second half, Citrus had three scoring opportunities thwarted by Burkhart and her defensive teammates. At the other end of the field, Lecanto came close a couple of times, too.

"I had a feeling something was going to click," Eldridge said. "But I didn't know when."

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