Hat trick sustains Countryside

By JEREMY RASMUSSEN
Published January 7, 2006

TAMPA - Josh Martinez picked a great time to have his breakout game of the season. The Countryside striker scored a hat trick Friday to lead the Cougars 3-1 past Alonso in a crucial Class 6A, District 7 game.

Coming into the game, Martinez had four goals in 21 games. But he gave an inspired performance Friday, narrowly missing on several other scoring chances.

"I thought we were pretty even in the first 20 minutes, but Martinez just came out and made some great goals," Alonso coach Ray DiPompo said. "That's what you want your players to see so that they can play like that."

The win gives Countryside (19-3) a 4-1 record in 6A-7, good for second place behind Gaither. It also means the Cougars have a bye in the first round of district play.

Alonso (14-7-1, 3-2) is the third seed, and though making it to the semifinals of this tough district is no given, the teams likely could meet again. They also might see each other in next week's Hurricane Watch tournament at Palm Harbor University if each reaches the finals.

Countryside struck first in the 21st minute when Mike Favero beat a defender in the left corner and crossed to Martinez for a quick strike into the near corner of the goal.

Less than two minutes later, Griffin Gilstrap fed Martinez at the top of the box, and he blasted it into the right corner.

Midway through the second half, Countryside goalie Jeff Attinella stopped Ravens midfielder Ricky Mullen in a one on one after he received a perfect through ball from Julio Perez.

Then, in the 54th minute, Countryside showed its passing prowess as Josh Kent sent a ball across the field to Gilstrap, who laced it through to Eric Barnes, who in turn fed Martinez in the box. Martinez spun to his left and nailed the shot past a diving Nicholas Hall.

Attinella helped preserve the shutout with several other saves until a handball with five seconds remaining gave the Ravens a penalty kick, which OC Luna converted.

"I think we finished the plays better than we have been," Cougars coach David Sica said. "Martinez had some great goals, set up by our outside midfielders. Our defense was a little sloppy in the second half, and we'll want to tighten that up before these tournaments and the district playoffs."

ST. PETERSBURG - St. Petersburg Catholic got a late goal from Sean Bradley to preserve a draw and help keep the Barons undefeated with a 1-all tie against visiting district rival Clearwater Central Catholic.

"You always want a win, but a tie is better than a loss," SPC's Anatol Popovich said. "We played stupid for the first 35 minutes."

CCC (6-6-3) took the lead just out of halftime on a header from Joey Meehan in the 46th minute. Justin Helmus' strong throw sailed into the box and found Meehan, the tallest player on the field at 6-foot-2.

"Justin is such a weapon with his throws," CCC coach Jim Harte said. "And Joey's good in the air because of his height, but also because of his timing and the amount of skill that he has."

SPC (13-0-2) had numerous opportunities in the final 20 minutes but could not even the match. SPC's James Deconinck hit the post in the 60th minute, and his header three minutes later sailed just high.

But the Barons broke through in the final three minutes. Colin Long's cornerkick was batted around in the box before squirting free to the left of the goal. Bradley pushed up from the back and flicked the ball in for the equalizer.

"It's always disappointing when you don't wrap up a game," Harte said. "SPC is just a really good team and we'll learn from this game and get better."

- BRANDON WRIGHT, Times staff writer

[Last modified January 7, 2006, 01:25:29]