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Sometimes it helps to get a few goals from unusual sources in order to get out of a funk.
Central entered last week with one loss but quickly picked up two more with a 3-2 decision at Citrus Dec. 1 and a 1-0 home loss Wednesday to Springstead. But the Bears ended the week on a high note with a 2-0 victory Friday at Groveland South Lake.
The goals came from a reserve and a defender. Reserve midfielder Alicia Velazquez scored her first of the season and sophomore Kathy Mince, a sweeper, scored her third goal on a header.
Mince, who coach Hank Deslaurier calls "absolutely brilliant in the air," is brought up from the defense in corner-kick situations to try to finish off scoring opportunities. Friday, such heady efforts were welcome after a tough week.
"We just kind of collapsed against Citrus, a game we had in hand (leading 2-0)," Deslaurier said. "Against Springstead we spent all night in their end. We must have had 15 quality chances.
"Sometimes that happens when you play this many games, every now and then you're going to have an off day."
Central began another three-games-in-five-days schedule Monday at home against Leesburg.
HAPPY TIES: Springstead's girls had a chance to equal last season's win total (9) with three victories last week, but settled for two ties and a win over Central.
No problem, coach Randy Strat said.
"Wins are going to be very important, but ties are just as good," Strat said. "I'm very pleased with the way things are going."
And why not? Freshman Angela Passafaro is leading the team with 10 goals in 10 games and in Friday's 1-1 tie at Leesburg, the Eagles allowed three shots and none in the first half.
"The last two games are the best two we've played," Strat said. "The tie, people would say "gee whiz,' but it wasn't a slip. We outplayed (Leesburg)."
WELCOME ADDITION: The 1-7 Nature Coast girls will get a boost Friday when four players, including Jaleesa Scott, join the team for the first time. The Central transfer tied for the county lead with 18 goals last year but had been ineligible due to academics.
"I'm hoping she'll just push us over the edge," coach Phil Bennett said.
The Sharks started slowly with four blowout losses, then got in the win column Nov. 18 with a 4-0 victory at Wildwood. The next game the Sharks scored three goals in a loss to South Sumter, and Wednesday hung with Crystal River in a 2-0 loss.
"We're pretty much improving every game right now. Getting four players back, I'm hoping we might start picking up results pretty soon," Bennett said.
"We'll have more of what I consider a team of players."
REBOUND: Two days after a 5-0 pounding at Springstead, Central's boys returned Friday to beat South Lake 4-2 at home. Coach Jerry Bon criticized his club for getting away from a team game, but also was amazed at the team's run of finding hot goaltenders on the other side.
Bon estimated the Bears outshot South Lake 10-1, yet only scored twice in each half.
"We moved Patrick Foreman (from sweeper to forward), by golly he netted a goal and nearly had three others," Bon said.
"We are getting great games out of the opposition's goalkeeper. There were a number of point-blank shots that he got in front of somehow."