Sports

Cougars post record win

By JOHN C. COTEY
Published February 3, 2006

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CLEARWATER - A textbook give-and-go with Josh Martinez got it all started. A brilliant run and dish by Kyle Kuhlman doubled the lead. And Kyle Clinton's picture-perfect pass sealed the victory.

The recipient of all this nifty playmaking?

Senior forward Griffin Gilstrap, who scored four goals as Countryside easily handled Sarasota 5-0 Thursday night in a Class 6A region quarterfinal.

"Griffin can't do what he does without his teammates," Countryside coach Dave Sica said. "He's the first one to tell you that. But he's a great finisher."

The Cougars (24-4) set a school record for wins, breaking the mark set last year when they advanced to the state semifinals. They will travel to meet Orlando Freedom in Tuesday's region semifinals.

Sarasota, last year's Class 6A runner-up, finished 13-10-4 and never presented a serious threat as Cougar keeper Jeff Attinella needed just three routine saves to record his 17th shutout.

Countryside dominated from the outset, missing on a few good chances in the first five minutes before Gilstrap finished off a pass from Martinez in the sixth minute.

Just over 10 minutes later, Kuhlman stutter-stepped to the left past one defender, jumped over a sliding defender as he cut right and then passed past charging keeper Chase Hammond to wide-open Gilstrap, who volleyed the pass home.

It was Kuhlman's team-leading 22nd assist.

If the Sailors harbored any comeback chances, they were dashed with 35 seconds left in the first half as Gilstrap broke free from the grip of a defender and finished far post to make it 3-0.

"That's a very talented team," said Sarasota coach Aaron McFarland. "They'll do well. I'd love to say we got knocked out by the state champions."

Gilstrap scored his last goal of the night, and 32nd of the season, in the second half. With less than a minute remaining, Sica let senior Neil Osberg take a penalty kick, and he found the upper right 90 for his first goal of the season.

5A: Eagles shut out Terriers

EAST LAKE - Charlie Coggins' great defense led to the offense East Lake was looking for. His save on an early Hillsborough penalty kick sent the Eagles the other way, where seconds later they scored their first of three goals, shutting out the Terriers 3-0 in their first home playoff game in more than a decade.

"Charlie got us back in the game," East Lake coach Tom Malinosky said. "That got our guys going the other way and we got back in the game."

Fifteen minutes into the match, Coggins (six saves) put his gloves on Evan Colborne's PK try and the ball deflected out. A minute later, Drew Petzoldt beat Terriers keeper Kyle Vaughn (nine saves) for the first of his two goals and a 1-0 Eagles lead at halftime.

"We had it going. Besides the wind and some breaks here. We hit the cross bar. This could have been different," said coach Steve Colborne, who led the Terriers to their first region berth in 20 years.

Out of intermission, East Lake flaunted its size, winning more 50-50 balls and wearing down Hillsborough's attack from the midfield with good play from Rico Zinella. With 12 minutes to go, Aidan Littlejohns turned from 16 yards out and ripped a left-footed netter to give the Eagles breathing room.

Eight minutes later, Petzoldt touch-passed three defenders in the goalie's box and nailed the game's third and final goal.

"This was an off night for us though," Malinosky said. "We cannot play like this next week. We owe Seminole one."

After struggling through years of young rosters and being beaten by better clubs, Thursday night was a stepping stone for East Lake (14-5-2) and Hillsborough (6-9-2), which won just one game last year.

- ERIC MUSKATEVC, Times correspondent

5A: Osceola runs out of tricks

BRADENTON - Manatee's Christian Raudales recorded a hat trick to lead Manatee past visiting Osceola 3-1 in Thursday's region quarterfinal.

"(Raudales) is just a stud," Osceola coach Scott Peterson said. "He just ran right through our defense."

Raudales first scored in the 3rd minute but Osceola evened it four minutes later when Matt Palmer connected on a penalty kick. Osceola was awarded the PK after Manatee's goalkeeper was whistled for interference off a corner kick.

"I thought we dominated them in the first half, but they were quick with their counterattacks and took advantage of their opportunities," Peterson said.

Peterson praised the play of goalie Tyler Depergola, who made 17 saves.

"Tyler played outstanding and made some great saves," he said.

Osceola, which had two players sent off on double yellow cards, finished 9-6-2.

- BRANDON WRIGHT, Times staff writer

[Last modified February 3, 2006, 01:25:14]

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