St. Cloud comeback dooms Zephyrhills

By STEVE LEE
Published January 27, 2006

ZEPHYRHILLS - The Bulldogs won Thursday's region quarterfinal, but not the ones the home crowd was rooting for.

The St. Cloud Bulldogs overcame two deficits for a 3-2 win over the Zephyrhills Bulldogs. Ironically, a former Zephyrhills player coached the visiting Bulldogs.

"I haven't been back in eight years and I come back and remember it all," said Renae Cichanelli, a 1998 Zephyrhills graduate who as Renae Neal (her maiden name) played four seasons for the Bulldogs.

The winning goal came in the 74th minute and marked the first time St. Cloud led. Nicole Esposito sent a through ball to Amber Woods, who beat Zephyrhills goalkeeper Hillary Tunker with a roller into the left corner.

Zephyrhills led 1-0 and 2-1, but could not hold on. Kristen Vollmer was pulled down by a St. Cloud defender and Laurren McLeod converted a penalty kick in the first half.

St. Cloud tied it at 1 on Lauren Welch's goal in the 32nd minute, but Zephyrhills restored its one-goal lead in the 47th. Vollmer tucked the ball inside the right post after Brittney Hough blocked a clearing attempt by St. Cloud keeper Christina Downey.

Gulf was held scoreless in a 2-0 loss at Orlando Bishop Moore.

Mallory Kontoulas and Kelly Branham scored for Bishop Moore and Gulf keeper Jessica Santoli made 11 saves in a physical game with the hosts committing 12 fouls.

"I was very proud of our girls and how they played," Gulf coach Shari Schau said.

"They fought through a lot of adversity. (Bishop Moore) is a physical team."

[Last modified January 27, 2006, 01:22:12]