Tampa Prep's run comes up short

Tampa Prep lost in the state semifinals to Delray Beach American Heritage, 2-1. Pasco also dropped out of the playoffs with only its second loss of the season.

By TIMES STAFF
Published February 17, 2006

DELRAY BEACH AMERICAN HERITAGE 2, TAMPA PREP 1

FORT LAUDERDALE - Tampa Prep's bid for a second straight state boys soccer title ended with a 2-1 loss to Delray Beach American Heritage on Friday afternoon in the Class 2A semifinals at Lockhart Stadium. The Terrapins defeated American Heritage by the same score in the 2005 semifinals.

Tampa Prep (22-5-3) was outshot 10-6, but after falling behind 2-0 early in the second half made a game of it with a goal in the 63rd minute by midfielder Davis Miller. The Terrapins had one header go wide and another just high in the final 85 seconds.

"They played a good game," Tampa prep defender Robby Goldsberry said. "They deserved to win."

American Heritage (12-9-2) will play Lakeland Christian (23-4-2) in today's final.

MIDDLEBURG 5, PASCO 2

Pasco's historical season ended Friday with only its second loss. Middleburg defeated the Pirates 5-2 in a Class 4A state semifinal at Lockhart Stadium.

Pasco (24-2-1) set a single-season school record for wins and made its state series debut, but squandered an early lead.

Garibaldi Alejandre's 27th goal gave the Pirates a 1-0 lead in the seventh minute and school recordsetter Jose Montelongo netted his 44th goal. But those scores were not enough to offset Michael McDonald's hat trick.

"On three of their goals we gave the ball away at the middle of the field and we got punished,'' Pasco coach Barry Grayling said.

JENSEN BEACH 4, JESUIT 3

Jesuit's first final four appearance since 2001 ended in heartbreak Friday night at Lockhart Stadium. Jensen Beach, making its first state semifinal trip, stunned the Tigers with two goals in the final 13 minutes to lead the Falcons to a 4-3 win.

Jesuit (24-5-1) was seeking its seventh state championship.

The Tigers were paced by two goals from junior midfielder Santi Alexis and another from senior midfielder Michael Gillman. Jensen Beach (21-2) was outshot 19-11 but made the most of its scoring opportunities. The winner came off the foot of Jerry Balzer in the 78th minute.

[Last modified February 17, 2006, 22:50:15]