IRC shocks Calvary

IRC weathered a surge by Calvary to begin the second half and sealed the win with three late goals.

By EMERY SKOLFIELD, Times correspondent
Published January 27, 2007

ST. PETERSBURG - During a seven-game stretch following the winter break, Indian Rocks Christian scored a total of three goals, not exactly the kind of roll a team wants to be on heading into the postseason.

Then again ...

For the second time in a week, the underdog Golden Eagles made a mockery of their poor regular-season record and played a superb all-around game, polishing off the district title with a 4-0 victory over top-seeded Calvary Christian at Keswick Christian.

"I have to be at least a little surprised," said IRC coach Rich Hayward, whose team entered district tournament play with just four wins in 21 games. "This is a young team, and they responded."

IRC 6-15-2, which will host Bishop McLaughlin on Thursday in a region quarterfinal, weathered a surge by Calvary (15-6-2) to begin the second half and sealed the win with three late goals.

Golden Eagles standout midfielder Jonny Sitton, a sophomore who returned this week from a hip injury, scored twice. Andres Carballo-Gomez had two second-half goals for IRC.

Golden Eagles keeper Brad Schwab, a senior in his first year of soccer, made nine saves, including seven in the first 20 minutes of the second half.

"I don't know if we deserved to be on the field," said Calvary coach Erik Krotz, whose team will travel to Tampa Prep.

Emery Skolfield, Times correspondent

[Last modified January 26, 2007, 23:11:16]