Warhawks hang on

The Warhawks used two long passes down the middle of the field Friday night to help defeat Lakewood 3-2.

By DOUG KATES, Times correspondent
Published January 27, 2007

SEMINOLE - Seminole coach Rick Masi said every once in a while it's okay to be unpredictable. His Warhawks used two long passes down the middle of the field Friday night to help defeat Lakewood 3-2.

"It's unpredictable if you don't do it all the time," Masi said. "I like to have the ball switch side to side instead of down the middle of the field. We place a few balls like that, but we don't hit a lot."

The first big pass came off the toe of Logan Kelley. His pass sailed 35 yards, but ended up in front of Stefan Cerf, who quickly fired for a 1-0 lead.

Then, with about 30 seconds remaining in the half, Brian Tyler was on the receiving end of another 30-yard pass, dodged a few defenders and struck from outside. His goal gave Seminole a 2-1 lead.

In the second half, the Warhawks went back to short passes for a 3-1 advantage. Jacob Settle gave his teammates a two-goal lead and ended up with the winning point.

Lakewood's first goal came from Thurstan Johnson. Taylor Linkfield had the second.

Masi said it was great to have a two-goal lead in the second half, but when Linkfield pulled his team within one, it created to a lot of intensity in the closing minutes. Lakewood (12-3) had not lost on the road.

Seminole (11-6-5) will make its eighth straight trip to regionals.

Doug Kates, Times correspondent

[Last modified January 26, 2007, 23:30:50]