Cougars prove stingy in allowing goals this season

On the defensive

By JUSTIN DARGAHI
Published December 13, 2006

Durant continued its incredible defensive start to the season with a road win over Class 6A, District 8 rival Riverview last Friday.

The Cougars beat the Sharks 1-0 for their sixth shutout of the season. They have allowed six goals all season.

Cecil Clarke, who scored the lone goal, leads the Cougars with nine goals. Jarret Williams is second on the team with six.

The Cougars aren't a prolific offensive team like some other area ones but they get timely goals, then bog down on their opponent defensively.

The Cougars (9-0-2) are led on the back line by seniors Ben Jones, Andrew Kanaar, Philip Costa and Marcos Garcia.

All four are having all-state type seasons and are getting looked at by many Florida universities such as UCF, North Florida, Rollins and Palm Beach Atlantic.

"Obviously it all starts with our defense," coach Jamin Hollingsworth said. "We dominate teams on defense usually and it's helped us beat some real good teams so far."

Durant also has a standout goalkeeper in senior C.B. Parsley who has allowed just four goals and stopped 55 shots.

"We are just focusing on getting out of districts and then we will see how far we can go," Hollingsworth said.

ANOTHER UNDEFEATED: Tampa Prep also continued its unbeaten streak with three impressive wins last week.

The Terrapins outscored Admiral Farragut, Hernando Christian and Indian Rocks Christian by a total of 24-1. Tampa Prep (12-0) has scored at least seven goals in four straight games and seem to be toying with opponents.

Tampa Prep has 76 goals on the season.

The Terps defense has been just as dominant, allowing just six goals with no more than a single goal in any game.

Tampa Prep faces its stiffest test of the season in the annual Admiral Cup in two weeks. The tournament will feature 16 teams, some coming from as far as California.

The Terps face Middleburg, Jesuit and Oceanside, Calif., in the three-day event and are sure to meet even stronger teams if they advance to the championship rounds.

All games will be held at Ed Radice Park in Tampa.

ODDS AND ENDS: Gaither forward Brendan Howard is second in the state in goals with 15. ...Durant's Jarret Williams leads his team with 10 assists, good for second in the state.

[Last modified December 13, 2006, 05:31:08]