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Preps

Spongers run out of gas

CLASS 2A GIRLS SOCCER: Tarpon Springs stays with speedy Suncoast for 80 minutes, but finally loses in overtime.

By LAURA LEE
© St. Petersburg Times
published February 28, 2003

TAMPA -- Speed is one of the things that got Tarpon Springs to the final four. But the Spongers finally ran into a team in Riviera Beach Suncoast that could outrun them and outlast them.

While Tarpon kept up with the Chargers well enough to hold them scoreless for 80 minutes, fatigue set in and Suncoast beat Tarpon 1-0 in overtime at the Ed Radice Complex. The Chargers will play Land O'Lakes in the championship Saturday.

The Chargers were obviously hurt taking the field limping, with several massive bandages supporting hamstrings and knees. The Spongers took note, thinking it would prove to be an advantage.

"Physically, I thought we were in better shape and that might pull us through," said Tarpon coach John Freiermuth.

Suncoast (24-1) played through ligament damage and strained hamstrings, dominating the scoring opportunities, outshooting Tarpon 24-7. Sponger keeper Alexia Berg played a physical game in the box, coming up with 14 saves. The Chargers came out strong in the beginning of both halves, but the Spongers fought back with a solid counter-attack. With little offense, the game was scoreless at the end of regulation.

"We had our chances to score and we didn't put the ball into the net," Freiermuth said.

The Spongers won their region final in penalty kicks last week, but Tarpon (18-4-3) couldn't hold out to penalty kicks this time. Despite coming out controlling the ball at the beginning of overtime, Suncoast got the first and only score. Suncoast freshman Siobhan Alexander scored three minutes into the first overtime. Alexander played a through ball from junior MaryKate Towne down the middle of the field, sending her shot to the low right post.

"I just focused and tried my best," Alexander said. "They were kind of rough."

The Spongers weren't afraid to get physical with the Chargers, something Freiermuth has tried to teach his team this season, having them scrimmage against Tarpon's boys team.

On Thursday night, Tarpon realized something to work on for next year.

"We just have to get in shape next year," said junior Paige Beyer. "The whole last 20 minutes of the game we couldn't run."

Speed may have kept Tarpon in the game, but in the end, the banged up Chargers had more endurance.

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