Jami Pass sparks Pasco to a 4-2 win over Hernando.
By EMILY NIPPS, Times Staff Writer
Published January 29, 2005
BROOKSVILLE - Pasco's passing was right on target, its goalkeeping was solid and the team's overall hustle was just what Pasco coach Wardell Powell wanted to see in a big game.
But something else was key in Friday night's Class 3A, District 6 championship. Powell didn't hesitate to point out the biggest reason for Pasco's 4-2 win over Hernando.
"Just having Jami (Pass) back was huge," Powell said. "Just getting her in the right groove and rhythm. ... That's what I was hoping for."
Pass, who had both rows of her front teeth kicked in while playing against Nature Coast in December, had perhaps her best game since coming back from her injury. She scored all four goals for the Pirates (12-7-2) and might have been the most excited to be lifting the district championship trophy after the victory.
"It means a lot, especially since this is my senior year," said Pass, who leads the Pirates with 31 goals. "I didn't even know if I had any teeth (last month), but I knew I'd play in this game either way, even if I had to wear a mouth guard."
The Leopards (6-13-1) came out sluggish and couldn't slow Pass, who scored first on a throw-in by Deanna Carillo 14 minutes into the first half. With 8:45 left in the half, Cassandra Hill controlled the ball long enough to feed it to Pass, who kicked it into the top right corner of the goal behind Hernando keeper Emily Cochran.
Hernando entered the second half more energized and midfielder Marijane Estes slipped one past keeper Victoria Schrader. Pass answered with her third goal, which she knocked in just under the crossbar with the help of another assist by Hill. The Leopards stayed in the game with a Danielle Coopman goal, scored on a penalty kick from a handball call on the Pirates (3-2). But with just a few minutes left, Pass struck again with a straight-on goal after a feed from Whitney Vance.
Hernando coach William O'Lynnger described the Leopards as "more of a second-half team" and was proud of the way they attempted to come back.
"They played hard and kept their heads up," he said. "You've got to hand it to Jami Pass. Even though she wasn't playing completely up to par, she really came out and surprised us."
