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A-6 GIRLS: A 2-1 win gives the Marauders their third victory over Berkeley Prep along with the district crown.
By SCOTT PURKS, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times, published February 8, 2003
TAMPA -- A tip off a keeper's fingers, a foot to the left, a flick to the right, a little more, or less ... it was the little things that separated Berkeley Prep and Clearwater Central Catholic in Friday's final.
After 80 minutes and two five-minute overtimes, CCC finally prevailed 2-1, leaving both teams physically and mentally spent.
"This is one time I can say that every girl on our team left everything they had on the field," Berkeley Prep coach Ken Roberts said. "There is no way I can ask for anything more."
Berkeley Prep (14-6-1) started the scoring in the 10th minute when seventh-grader Chelsea Hatcher drove the left side, dodging a few defenders before drilling it home.
Berkeley Prep held the lead until the 47th minute when CCC's Jessica Hallgren threw in a 30-yard bullet that Ashley Posusta nicked with her head. The ball looped over keeper Callie Raymond's outstretched hands and tumbled in.
The teams traded several near-misses before regulation ended 1-1. With under two minutes remaining in the first overtime, Hallgren, who played four positions, drove right and zipped a ball past a diving Raymond, a score that seemed to sap what energy Berkeley had left.
"But we had plenty of energy," said Hallgren, who signed this week with the University of Florida. "You can tell right now that we still have a lot of energy," she said pointing at her teammates hugging in celebration.
"We've worked really hard for a long, long time for this, and we've overcome some adversity (including a flu bug the last few weeks). It's very satisfying."
The victory means CCC (17-3-3) will host Tuesday's first round of region play, while Berkeley Prep must hit the road.
Not too many would be surprised, however, if CCC and Berkeley Prep met one more time in the region final, meaning both teams would have to win their next two games.
Should that happen, the Buccaneers would get a fourth chance to beat the Marauders, who are now 3-0 this season against Berkeley.
"What we need to do is recognize that it's not over," Roberts said. "We have to take this emotion into the next game. We are still very much alive."