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'Canes keep rising to occasion
By KEITH NIEBUHR, Times Staff Writer
INVERNESS -- The ability to peak at the right time is crucial to a team's success, which explains why Citrus coach Ethan Eldridge is so upbeat these days. His squad is on a roll. The Hurricanes are 16-5-3 after starting 2-2-1, ended top-seeded Lecanto's 12-game winning streak to claim a district title, then rallied to beat Pasco 2-1 in last week's regional quarterfinal. "We're playing our best soccer right when it counts," Eldridge said. If Citrus wants to advance even farther, that trend had better continue. The 'Canes play host to Daytona Beach Seabreeze tonight at 7:30 in a Class 2A regional semifinal. Citrus never has reached the championship game. Seabreeze is a postseason regular and three-time state runner-up. "It's very exciting," Eldridge said. Seabreeze (13-6-2) has not been as strong as in past years, but is a formidable foe. The District 6 runner-up Sandcrabs got here with a 1-0 upset over state-ranked St. Augustine Nease on penalty kicks -- their most impressive victory this season. Seabreeze is led by keeper Katie Walter, who had 17 saves, two on penalty kicks, against Nease. Forward Lindsay Brauer is the top scorer. "I really don't know a whole lot about Seabreeze," Eldridge said. "I was looking at the matchups, and I thought we'd be playing Nease." Citrus' entry is equally surprising. Before the season, longtime Hurricanes coach Brady Bogart resigned and top player Amber Presnick opted to graduate early. "We were a big question mark, and we've come out quite well," Eldridge said. "Anything after the district is a bonus for us. We're just happy to be here. "I don't think the girls are nervous yet, but they probably will be by 4 (today), when they really start thinking about it." Forwards Jenny Floyd and Marcy Mills sparked Citrus against Pasco, but Eldridge expects seniors Whitney Gelin, Sonya Segars and Amanda Yoder to be the most important components tonight because of their experience. Each has played in big games. "We've been counting on them all year," he said. "They've been here before. They know the pace and tempo, and can bring the girls along accordingly." The 'Canes have won with a strong defense and patient offense. That blue-collar approach has worked well, especially down the stretch. "We're going to have to be able to control the ball on offense and play fundamental defense, just like we've been playing all year." Eldridge said. "To me, those are the keys. "I told the girls to play their game and go out and do the best they can. They're upbeat and ready to go." -- Keith Niebuhr can be reached at 860-7337 or online at niebuhr@sptimes.com .
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