PHU, Seminole ready for Round 3

By BRANDON WRIGHT
Published January 31, 2006

PALM HARBOR - PHU coach John Planamenta described it as "clicking." Seminole coach Steve Kuplicki said there were "countless mistakes."

More than likely, it was a combination of both, but the Hurricanes' 8-0 thumping of the Warhawks on Dec. 9 was downright ugly.

"We had more mistake in that first half than we did all season," Kuplicki said.

It was a far cry from the first time the teams met this season, when Seminole handed PHU its lone loss 1-0.

"That (second) game was just a case of everything going our way," Planamenta said. "The girls saw what happened when we played them the first time and were determined to make sure it didn't happen again the second time."

The losses proved to be catalysts for the Warhawks and Hurricanes' late-season runs. PHU has won 11 straight since their loss to the Warhawks while Seminole has reeled off eight straight victories since falling to the Hurricanes.

"We learned a lot in the two meetings this year," Kuplicki said. "We learned to be confident after we beat them, and the loss gave us plenty to work on."

Kuplicki said the key to stopping the Hurricanes centers around containing their two talented strikers. Courtney Whidden and Annie Stalzer have combined for 42 goals. However, Seminole has a strong backline, anchored by Regan Riley and Leah Hatfield.

"Any coach that plays (PHU) will tell you that stopping them starts up front," Kuplicki said. "Our defense has a task ahead of them."

Both teams are relatively healthy with the exception of PHU goalkeeper Victoria Wyandt, who dislocated her finger two weeks ago. Wyandt did not play in PHU's region quarterfinal win against Plant, and Planamenta said it is "very questionable" whether or not she will play.

Monica Lee, who has split time with Wyandt this season, would start.

COMMITMENTS: PHU's Chelsea Brinkman orally committed to Bucknell last week while Seminole's Leah Hatfield committed to West Florida. Hatfield also will run track.

[Last modified January 31, 2006, 00:31:49]