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Vulnerability may be asset to Gaither soccer team

The Cowboys hope less dominance and better competition have prepared them for the playoffs.

By ROD GIPSON
Published January 19, 2007

Close games were virtually nonexistent during the Gaither boys soccer team's run to the Class 6A region finals last season.

Things have been a little different this year.

The Cowboys are still an outstanding squad but not quite the dominating force of years past. But this season, that may prove to be in the Cowboys' favor.

With a 23-2-2 record a season ago, the Cowboys routinely routed opponents. That lack of competition came into play during the playoffs, Gaither coach Eric Sims said.

"Having to play entire matches does prepare your team," Sims said. "And sometimes we didn't have that last year."

Gaither saw plenty of competition in the Puma Challenge tournament earlier this year in Sarasota. The Cowboys went 0-2-1 at the premier event and failed to reach the championship round. Gaither also lost to its highly touted rival Countryside last month and received a scare from district foe Alonso in a 2-1 win.

"The depth we have had in the past isn't there anymore," Sims said. "We don't have as many guys that can come off the bench and make an immediate impact."

Gaither was faced with the daunting task of replacing 13 players from last year's group. Still, the Cowboys won eight of their first 13 matches to once again establish themselves as one of the area's best teams.

The Cowboys' returning players have been key.

Four-year starters Ben Foerstner and Fernanado Gonzalez have played well, and Sickles High transfer Brendan Howard has been outstanding. Howard leads the county in goals with 15, which also places him second in the state in scoring.

Gonzalez has seven goals and nine assists from his spot while Foerstner has four goals. Playmakers Anderson Trent and Darnell King have been solid as well, combining for five goals and nine assists.

"It's just how it has been this season. The district is always tough and we lost a lot as far as players, but this is a nice mixture of experience and new guys," Sims said.

No position play this year may be as important as the Gaither goalkeeping has been. Injuries have forced three players to mind the net for the Cowboys - starter David Cobb, then Angelo Dragotta and Brian Habitsch.

Cobb posted a 1.33 goals-against average before his absence while Dragotta followed with solid play (eight saves in the Alonso win). Habitsch has 10 saves on the season.

The team's last regular-season game will be tonight against Leto.

The district tournament begins Monday, but Gaither has a bye. On Wednesday, it will play either Sickles or Alonso.

Ultimately, Gaither may have to contend with Countryside - the defending 6A state champs who are ranked No. 1 in the country by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America and are on a 27-match unbeaten streak dating to last season.

"It's always tough getting through this district; any team can win it," Sims said. "What we have to do is play well, get on a streak heading into the playoffs and see what happens."

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[Last modified January 18, 2007, 07:48:23]