The Warhawks win the boys game 3-1 and the girls game 3-0.
By LAURA LEE
Published January 7, 2004
SEMINOLE - Though it was just the second district game on the schedule, Tuesday night's St. Petersburg vs. Seminole doubleheader probably will determine the No. 1 seed in the Class 5A, District 10 tournaments. The Warhawks won both, the girls 3-0 and the boys 3-1.
St. Petersburg's boys came out looking ready to dominate. The Green Devils were clean and aggressive, penetrating Seminole's defense at will, but could not finish.
"St. Pete came out really hard at us. They were like gangbusters," Seminole coach Rick Masi said. "Luckily for us, we were able to hang in there and get our composure."
The Warhawks found their rhythm and took a 2-0 lead early in the second half on two goals from Richard Legg. But the Green Devils scored with 15 minutes to play on a goal from Desmond Keane. Three minutes later Kyle Urquhart fired in a shot from the top of the penalty box to put Seminole up 3-1.
St. Petersburg coach Dave Williams said despite the loss his team played the best he'd seen all season. Junior goalkeeper Alexander Bowers, who broke his nose playing club soccer over winter break, had his cast removed hours before the game. With his nose tender and healing, Bowers made some great saves to keep the score from getting out of hand.
"That's the type of leadership, that's the type of play we have on this team," Williams said.
The situation was similar earlier in the girls game. St. Petersburg's chances came early, but the Green Devils came up empty. Seminole got on the board when Kathleen Pollard scored in the fourth minute. The Warhawks scored twice in the second half, from Jessica LaBohner and Morgan Bell. Seminole keeper Amanda Tucker, a freshman, had her fourth consecutive shutout.
Warhawks coach Steve Kuplicki said his team was opportunistic and got the breaks that won it.
"That was the difference in the game," St. Petersburg coach Rui Farias said. "You've got to capitalize on mistakes."
