Weather | Sports | Forums | Comics | Classifieds | Calendar | Movies
LARGO - The Packers scored three goals in the first half en route to a 4-1 victory Monday over East Lake, improving Largo to 2-3 and equaling its win total of the past two seasons.
The victory came against an East Lake team that despite its 5-5 record is regarded as one of the most talented in the county. And although Largo has a losing record after winning just once each of the past two seasons, getting over the hump has given the Packers confidence.
"This game was a big up for us," said Packers defender Ryan Holmes, who remembered losing to the Eagles twice last season, 7-0 and 8-0.
Will Sever and Chad Young scored two goals each for the Packers.
Largo's first goal came in the 19th minute when Sever set up Young on a cross that left Young inches from the goal line. The duo scored in the final two minutes to give the Packers a 3-0 lead at halftime.
The Eagles dominated the second half, but Largo kept its defense tight, altering East Lake's shots just enough to send them wide or high.
East Lake had several shots on goal in the second period but Largo goalie Chris McDonald came up with a couple of fingertip saves. The Eagles finally scored in the 71st minute on a goal from Matt Davis.
Sever, who assisted on both of Young's goals, ended the scoring for the Packers.
"There's no doubt in my mind they want to win, they're just not playing to win," East Lake coach Frank Coorey said of his team. "We're not playing to our potential."
After two losing seasons, the Packers are hoping this year is different. "All they're doing is realizing what they had the capability to do all along," said Ducey, the third Largo coach in the past three seasons.