Potent & plucky
By KELLIE DIXON
Published February 11, 2007
The boys soccer season concluded this week for county teams. We haven't calculated our top county players, but with the input of Citrus County coaches, here are standouts and shoutouts in a few categories.
Most dangerous with the ball: Chris Fleming
Despite injury, Crystal River midfielder Fleming's touch in the midfield helped the Pirates reach the region semifinals.
Shoutouts: Citrus' Bodee Wright was a playmaker for the 'Canes. Lecanto's Mike Burnett was able to collect the ball with his head up and distribute to the open player.
Toughest defense: Crystal River
It's tough to penetrate a quartet of seniors who have been playing together since 1999, plus a senior goalkeeper who combined for 15 shutouts. The defense gave up 16 goals all season, including four in the Class 4A region semifinals.
Team to watch in 2007: Lecanto
The Panthers forced Crystal River to battle back for the district title, and Lecanto will have several top returning players like Mike Burnett and Tyler Jordan.
Shoutout: Citrus. The 'Canes were young this season, even with 10 seniors, and will get many players from its 10-2-1 junior varsity squad.
Biggest team surprise: Lecanto
The rising junior varsity adjusted quickly to the pace of varsity play and bonded to give the Panthers a district runnerup squad.
Biggest surprise :Alex Crandall
Coming into this season, Goalkeeper Crandall probably felt more like Cody Shaffer's shadow. A talented Crandall sat the bench for three years waiting for his chance. It didn't take him long to break out though, and become a brick wall behind a sturdy defense. "He gets one year to shine, his senior year, and he just lit it on fire," Citrus coach Steve Ekeli said.
Top 10 season-ending stats
Goal scorers
Bodee Wright Citrus 20
Matthew Zarek CR 17
Bryan Tobin Citrus 12
Xavier Villachica CR 12
Mike Burnett Lecanto 11
Nick Becker CR 9
Richard Wilson CR 8
Sean Mulligan CR 6
Kevin Smith Citrus 6
Albert Bradley Lecanto 5
Tyler Cote Citrus 5
Chris Fleming CR 5
Eric Swanson CR 5
Chad Richie Citrus 4
Mike Watkins Lecanto 4
All else three or fewer
Assists (if available)
Wright Citrus 18
Cote Citrus 5
Richie Citrus 5
Tobin Citrus 5
Kevin Smith Citrus 4
Felipe Picado Citrus 3
Goalkeeping
Alex Crandall Crystal River
74 saves 15 total shutouts
Tyler Jordan Lecanto
112 saves 7 shutouts
Adam Santa Fe Citrus
85 saves
A.J. Waythaler Citrus
65 saves
Statistics provided by coaches
Best finisher: Xavier Villachica
The Crystal River forward wasn't the county's high scorer but he lit up teams when it mattered. He scored two goals to help the Pirates rebound from a deficit and win the district title. "It's nothing you can teach," Crystal River coach Michael Callaway said. "They just have it or they don't. Right now, he's money when he's in the box."