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Eagles hungry for more

By KELLIE DIXON
Published January 21, 2007

Springstead hasn't spent much time talking about last year's runnerup performance in the Class 4A, District 8 tournament.

The Eagles 6-2-4 have been more concerned with offensive production. No. 2 Springstead faces seventh-seeded Hernando at 7 p.m. Monday at Hudson.

Two things had to happen for the Eagles to take advantage of their high-pressure offense, which they started doing in the last week of the regular season.

First, Springstead had to start communicating, not just in the offensive third but everywhere.

"We just weren't doing enough of it," senior midfielder Preston Shutts said. "It was silent on the field."

Now that the Eagles are talking more, their next focus is to convert the opportunities their intense offense provides.

Through 16 games, the Eagles have outshot opponents 225 to 132 and scored 31 times.

Springstead coach Sal Calabrese said he has been shifting players to find the right lineup. As of Thursday, after the Eagles had combined for 11 goals in two games, Calabrese thought he might have the right group.

Calabrese isn't so much looking for a swift attack as a poised, deliberate one.

Ideally, Springstead likes to build its attack from the back, string together possessions and convert.

The Eagles had success with that during the last week of the regular season.

"It's been a solid team effort," Calabrese said. "The whole team has actually stepped up."

Senior left defender Jake Miceli said the players are coming together at the right time.

"We talk. We yell. We scream. We get the job done," Miceli said.

"We've been winning our games as a team together."

The Eagles aren't worrying about returning to the final game. They would like to, but they know they have to stay focused and get through Monday's game.

"We just gotta keep doing what we've been doing," Shutts said. "Finishing our chances and working hard."

Kellie Dixon can be reached at kdixon@sptimes.com or (352) 544-9480.

[Last modified January 20, 2007, 21:32:48]