Balanced Pirates see an opportunity

CRYSTAL RIVER -- It would not be a stretch to call Crystal River and Wesley Chapel opposites. But both will be going after the same thing at 7:30 tonight in a region quarterfinal at Pirate Stadium: a win.

Although Crystal River has the advantage in several areas, Pirates coach Bobby Verlato said his squad cannot overlook the Wildcats.

"We know they're dangerous," Verlato said. "They're the worst kind of team to face. They'll be hungry going into the playoffs and have nothing to lose."

Crystal River (14-6-1) was the top seed in District 7 and earned its third straight title. The seniors will be enjoying their fourth playoff trip.

Two seasons ago, the Pirates made it to the region semifinals -- the farthest in their history.

"We're excited," fourth-year starter Josh Caldwell said. "We think it's one of the best chances we've had of making it past the first round." Third-seeded Wesley Chapel (9-6-5) upset Land O'Lakes in a District 8 semifinal to earn the first playoff appearance in its four-year history.

"It's the first time we've been to regionals, and we're all excited to be going somewhere different and to be playing someone new," coach Brian Dorkowski said.

Wesley Chapel keeper Joe Berenguer has a 1.5 goals against average and two shutouts. The squad has not given up more than three goals to any team or scored more than four.

Leading scorer Gabriel Montelongo has 16 goals, but the Wildcats' second-best scorer is Jose Arroyo (6 goals, 10 assists).

In contrast, Josh Caldwell (29 goals), Morgan Rise (15), Cory Nayfield (9) and Justin Loriss (8) are just a few of the Pirates to score. Goalie Jimmy Turner has given up 25 goals.

Dorkowski is aware of the Pirates experience and scoring, especially Caldwell, who scored six goals in two district games.

Dorkowski is the roommate of Gulf coach Sam Koleduk, whose team tied Crystal River 2-2 earlier in the season, so he had an inside track on a scouting report. The Pirates fell 1-0 to Gulf in last season's region quarterfinal.

As of Wednesday, Verlato and the Pirates did not know too much about the Wildcats, who went 1-0-1 against Gulf.

"Most of the guys don't want to know," Verlato said. "A smaller percentage want to know where to be defensively, who to mark. They like to do everything up the middle, so we're going to try to keep the ball wide."

There was one thing not factored in: the flu. The Pirates have not had a full practice all week, and several players, including Caldwell, have been sick.

Kristen Leigh Porter can be reached at porter@sptimes.com or 564-3628. Staff writer Greg Auman contributed to this report.

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