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Preps

Tarpon Springs cruises to title

2A-9 GIRLS: After an emotional start, the Spongers have little difficulty dispatching Osceola.

By JOEL POILEY
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 8, 2003

TAMPA -- This one was for Kay.

Tarpon Springs coach John Freiermuth had wife Kay on his mind Friday night after she was rushed to Mease Countryside Hospital that afternoon with a collapsed lung. After doctors assured Freiermuth his wife was well enough for him to leave, his players made sure he wouldn't have to worry about the outcome of the game, routing Osceola 6-1 for the title at Tampa Bay Tech.

The Spongers (15-3) will host a region quarterfinal against District 10 runner-up Bartow on Tuesday night. Osceola (16-6) will travel to winner Lake Gibson..

Freiermuth didn't arrive until minutes before the match started. His team scored twice in the first six minutes and coasted from there. Junior Paige Beyer produced a hat trick, and Kristen Freiermuth, Ashley Jefferies and Whitney Gause joined in the scoring. The Spongers out-shot the Warriors 19-4.

"It was an emotional night," Freiermuth said. "The doctors pushed me out the door and said she was okay about quarter to six. Kristen even scored a goal for mom."

Osceola, which upset top-seeded Lakewood in the semifinals, started slowly and never found a rhythm against a stronger, faster Tarpon Springs side. Erica Civello's goal in the seventh minute closed the gap to 2-1, but Jefferies' goal in the last minute of the first half put Tarpon Springs firmly in control.

Freiermuth took over the Spongers this season after years of coaching boy's teams. He established the same physical, aggressive play his boys' teams were noted for.

"Fortunately I walked into a good situation," Freiermuth said. "We have a lot of good athletes, and we should be good again next year with only one senior starter."

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