Sports: Gators rise to the moment

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Gators rise to the moment

Down most of the way, Land O'Lakes comes through in key situations.

By JAMAL THALJI, Times Staff Writer

TAMPA -- They were outplayed for much of regulation. They lost control of the midfield early. They looked nervous and unsure. At times, they looked like they didn't want it at all.

But in the clutch, there was no stopping the Gators.

Two clutch plays, that is, that led Land O'Lakes to a thrilling 2-1 state semifinal win over Gulf Breeze in Thursday's second sudden-death overtime.

One clutch play tied the score 1-1, while a controversial play kept the Dolphins from taking the lead in the first overtime at the Ed Radice Sports Complex.

Grace Weatherford leads the Gators with 23 assists, but coach Vicky King has been riding her to look for her own shot more often. In the 67th minute of regulation, Weatherford called her own number.

Stacy Bishop's 35-yard free kick tipped off the fingers of Gulf Breeze goalkeeper Elizabeth Davis and hit the crossbar. Weatherford headed the rebound home to tie it 1-1.

"She was mad about the quote Aitken (to the newspaper)," King said. "She said, "you said something positive about everyone but me, you told me to shoot the ball.' Well, it's the truth."

A non-call by the officials in the final minute of the first overtime kept Gulf Breeze from attempting a penalty kick. The Dolphins' Caitlin Eggimann shot off a goal-mouth scramble in the penalty box. Land O'Lakes goalkeeper Shannon Aitken was out of position, leaving the net open on the left side save for the Gators' 5-foot-2 stopper, Jessica Gagnon. She was in the right place at the right time -- but was it the right call?

Gagnon, standing on the goal-line, leaped to knock the ball out of the crease. But did Gagnon head it out? Or did her right arm punch it out?

The Gulf Breeze bench exploded when the officials made no call. Gagnon said she thought she headed it. Videotaped replays showed her arm appeared to shoot up and deflect the ball.

"We didn't win cheaply," Gagnon said. "We spent 101 minutes on the field. One play doesn't make it a cheap win for us."

Now Land O'Lakes will play Saturday for the school's first state title.

"We're here," Bishop said. "We might as well win it."