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Preps

Bucs can taste the playoffs from here

HUDSON -- For all its recent struggles, Gulf now finds itself one win away from a return trip to the region playoffs.

The fifth-seeded Buccaneers found their scoring punch and a defensive effort to match Tuesday night, getting three first-half goals on the way to a 5-1 win over fourth-seeded River Ridge. The victory puts them up against top-seeded Hudson in tonight's semifinals.

"We just got outplayed tonight. They put the ball in the net and we didn't," River Ridge coach Steve Doyle said. "We had opportunities, but if they don't go in, it doesn't make a difference."

Drew Roberts put Gulf (14-7-4) on the board with 21 minutes left in the first half, and Bosho Maric scored on an assist from twin brother Novica 10 minutes later.

Roberts made it 3-0 with six minutes left in the half after River Ridge tried to push the ball past him up the right side after a missed shot. Roberts stole the ball back 30 yards from the goal, dribbled through two defenders and found the net, all while nursing a sprained ankle.

The Maric brothers would strike again four minutes into the second half, with Novica again assisting Bosho.

River Ridge (7-10-1) had chances to keep the game close. Vince Cerbini chipped an indirect kick just over the goal late in the first half. Another shot missed wide on a rebound moments later.

The Knights outshot Gulf 13-12, but the Bucs got a strong game from keeper Brandon King, whose only miss came on Ryan Wierenga's penalty kick with 20 minutes remaining.

The game had added significance. Four River Ridge players transferred to Gulf since last season, and fans yelled "traitors" as the Buccaneers walked off the field at halftime.

The only transfer factoring in any of the goals was midfielder Jerred Bagwell, who had the assist on the final goal. Tim Baker, who became eligible for the game Friday when a red-card suspension was rescinded, drew a yellow card in the second half.

Gulf coach Sam Koleduk declined to be interviewed after the game.

The only player ejected was River Ridge's Russell Oliver, who drew a double yellow just after halftime.

"We had an unfortunate double yellow for a senior who's a big player on this team," Doyle said. "Whether or not that was warranted is another issue. The better team won tonight and I tip my hat to them."

Before Hudson and Gulf meet tonight at 8, second-seeded Wesley Chapel and third-seeded Land O'Lakes square off at 6 with a playoff berth on the line. The Wildcats are going for their first region playoff appearance, while the Gators seek their sixth consecutive postseason berth.

Knights recover in time

DADE CITY -- River Ridge, a region semifinalist last season, struggled all season. Tuesday was no different.

The Royal Knights and Wesley Chapel played a scoreless first half at Pasco's W.F. Edwards Stadium.

River Ridge finally broke through on Sarah Slusak's goal in the 49th minute. Within the next six minutes, the Knights got goals from Christina Smith and Mandi Petrella for a 3-1 win.

Wesley Chapel (5-13-2) foiled Kristina Nagy's shutout bid on Kristine Marcotte's penalty kick in the 65th minute.

"It was frustrating in the first half," River Ridge coach Keith Hooper said. "We got three quick goals and that was able to kill them off."

River Ridge (9-12) advances to the district semifinals tonight at 6 against top seed Land O'Lakes, which drew a first-round bye.

Pasco and Zephyrhills play in the other semifinal at 8.

-- STEVE LEE

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