Fatigued legs don't fail East Bay

Their legs were tired, yet for the second game in as many nights, East Bay's defense was downright smothering.

By SCOTT PURKS
Published January 20, 2007

GIBSONTON - Their legs were tired, yet for the second game in as many nights, East Bay's defense was downright smothering.

Less than 24 hours after a hard-fought semifinal shutout won on penalty kicks, the Indians recorded their 10th shutout of the season, this time to take the district title 3-0 over Sarasota.

"It's hard playing a final the night after a semifinal, but for some reason the girls came out relaxed and found the energy," East Bay coach Claudine Sosa said.

"Our defense was really good but our offense did a great job as well. We made the most of our opportunities."

All the scoring needed came in the 20th minute when Kelly Leeper chipped in a ball deflected off a Sarasota defender 5 yards in front of the goal.

In the 51st minute Morgan Williams all but sealed victory with a 20-yard looper in the net's left corner, then, with less than four minutes remaining, Lindsey Rankin drilled in the final score on a corner kick.

Though Sarasota was outshot 17-5, the Sailors had two high-percentage shots within 10 yards of the net, one that sailed wide (in the sixth minute) and another from 2 yards that flew over the crossbar (in the 13th minute).

After that, however, it was pretty much all East Bay, which improved to 15-1-2 and moves on to host a region quarterfinal on Thursday.

Scott Purks, Times staff writer

[Last modified January 19, 2007, 23:00:16]