CLEARWATER - First-year Clearwater coach Gerardo Behory has thought little about his Tornadoes chances in the postseason, something he says he took from his coach while playing professional soccer in his home country of Equatorial Guinea.
"He said "Take it easy, step by step,"' Behory said. "So I don't like to set very high expectations."
Regardless, Clearwater took a step in the right direction on Wednesday night, walking over Largo 4-1 thanks to a Brian Shriver hat trick.
Largo (3-7) played even with Clearwater (7-2-1) for twenty minutes before Shriver sent his first two scores into the goal, both from the top of the keeper's box.
"We always try not to underestimate a team," Largo coach Larry Ducey said. "They came out a little slower than we had expected, and it took us 15 minutes to get back on pace."
The Packers got on pace when Daniel Holmes pulled Largo within a goal 29 minutes into the match. Four minutes later, however, Clearwater's Renato Baruti played a long assist to Patrick Carter, who scored the Tornadoes' third goal against keeper Nick Baker (six saves).
"We had trouble getting the Christmas vacation out of our heads," Ducey said. "We are going to refocus on the fundamentals."
Largo managed five shots against Clearwater's 15. Tornado keeper Ryan Gregg had three saves.
Shriver added his third goal midway through the second half.
"What I like about (Shriver) the most is that he gets the ball and creates the game," Behory said. "He doesn't stand and watch the game, he creates. He is a key to this team."
