 |
||||||||
 |
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
A threatening front
By KEITH NIEBUHR, Times Staff Writer
LECANTO -- After being asked to describe how difficult it is for opponents to contend with Lecanto's starting front line, Panthers forward Dani Sowell paused for a second, then smiled. "You can't cover all three of us," she said. Therein lies the secret to Lecanto's offensive success. The Panthers have not one, or even two strong forwards, but three -- Amber Gidden, Sowell and Alicia Short. The seniors have combined for 26 assists and 62 of the team's 79 goals. The Panthers are 15-2-1, the best start in their history and two wins short of the season record. "The front line is doing a lot of the work," sixth-year coach Kevin Towne said. "They really work well together and always know where each other is. "We've never scored this many goals. We get real excited when we get the ball back quickly on offense and when we're running at full speed. That's when we're at our best." Gidden is a finesse player with above-average ball-handling and shooting ability. The four-year starter and two-time Times All-Citrus/Hernando pick has 31 goals and 11 assists. She had 28 goals last season and 29 as a sophomore. In Monday night's 2-1 win at River Ridge, Gidden scored her 100th career goal. Only one other county player, 2001 Citrus grad Amy Bowen (165), scored more goals. Sowell, perhaps more than any county player this fall, has come into her own. Her speed and aggressiveness leave many defenders frustrated and gasping for air. And now her scoring has improved, making her even more to handle. "Her speed kills," Towne said. "Her aggressiveness has really picked up this season." Sowell, a three-year starer, is second in the county with 29 goals (20 more than last season when she was all-area). She has scored in all but two games. "I really didn't think I'd have this many goals," Sowell said. "I'm getting more opportunities now. That's the difference." Short's numbers aren't as eye-popping as her front-line teammates, but she might be the offense's unsung hero. Although scoring is a high priority, Short's primary focus is feeding the ball to Gidden and Sowell with crossing passes from her spot at right forward. "I like to take it down the field and cross it over the middle so (Gidden and Sowell) can hit it in," Short said. "It doesn't matter to me who scores." Short has two goals and five assists. Towne says Short's totals are deceptive. "When Short's on, it opens up everything for Amber and Dani," Towne said. "Sometimes they forget about her up there, but she makes a lot of plays you just don't see in the stats. She always puts the ball where it needs to be. She has the best crosses in the area." Their individual skills make them dangerous. Their chemistry makes them potent. "The three of us have blended really well together this season," Gidden said. "It's been fun."
 © 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111 
|
Citrus Times |
