Jesuit keeps a cool head

By JARRETT GUTHRIE
Published February 3, 2006

TAMPA - Jesuit seemed poised to tie the team's record for all-time season shutouts as it controlled the ball for most of the first half and the early part of the second against Palmetto. But a Benico Lara goal midway through the final half could have taken the momentum away from Jesuit.

Could have, but didn't.

"That was a real surprise," Jesuit coach Bob Bauman said. "But even though they scored, I don't think it shifted the momentum."

Jesuit responded minutes later as Nick Plasencia drilled a goal past the Palmetto keeper. The goal came off of a pass from Santi Alexis to Cameron Poklemba, who then crossed the ball to Plasencia, as Jesuit went on to defeat Palmetto 2-1.

"It was a play we practiced every day," Plasencia said. "Coach really drilled it into us. Cross it wide across the goal and finish. That is the way we do it here."

In the first half, Alexis charged with the ball to the left of Palmetto keeper Adam Danziger, who was able to dive and block the ball. But Jesuit's Kyle Sierra made a solid play following the ball and sent it into the goal.

With the lead 1-0 at the half, Jesuit's game plan seemed to be control the ball on Palmetto's side of the pitch. Jesuit kept control early in the second, but after Palmetto's tying goal and then Jesuit's goal to regain the lead, the ball played back and forth across the pitch.

"All through the season, when we've been up we've been able to put teams away," Bauman said. "It was good for us not to panic and keep our composure and boom we got right back ahead."

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