Cougars easily handle Warhawks

By CHRIS GIRANDOLA
Published December 16, 2005

Seminole - Countryside cruised 4-0 past county rival Seminole.

Josh Kent put in a rebound off a cornerkick by Kyle Kuhlman to put the Cougars up five minutes before halftime, and Griffin Gilstrap drove in a direct kick from 25 yards out two minutes later.

Then the Cougars (12-2) got plenty of help from mother nature as a rare thunderstorm passed through, causing a mud-puddle scenario in the second half.

"It was pretty crazy out there, but we were able to get the two most important goals of the season early on," Kuhlman said.

But both coaches admitted the weather conditions had nothing to do with Countryside's dominance.

"We were both playing in the same stuff," Seminole coach Rick Masi said. "They just did a better job early on making the most of their opportunities. And, when we had ours, their goaltender (Jeff Attinella) made some excellent plays."

Seminole's chances came in the second half. Sophomore forward Sebastian Thuriere fired a shot from 15 yards out, but the shot hit the top post. Thuriere gathered the rebound, but lifted his second shot over the top of the goal. With less than 10 minutes left, Josh Howard's breakaway attempt was stopped by Cougars defender Mike Guiliano.

The Cougars added two goals toward the end of the game, when Mike Favero and Josh Martinez teamed up. Favero found Martinez down the left side and Martinez gave the ball back to Favero, who easily put it in the back of the net. A minute later, Favero fed Martinez down the same sideline and Martinez took the ball on a breakaway for another easy one.

Seminole dropped to 8-2-2.

[Last modified December 16, 2005, 00:55:10]