Power of the pen trumps onfield action

By BRANDON WRIGHT
Published March 10, 2007

CLEARWATER - Seminole goalkeeper Amanda Tucker admitted English is by no means her favorite subject. The senior goalkeeper prefers math and science to adverbs and modifiers.

But Friday it was Tucker's prowess with the pen that made college a little more affordable.

Tucker was one of four players to earn a $1,000 scholarship at the 14th annual Senior Soccer Challenge at Countryside.

"Writing isn't my strong suit," Tucker said. "I don't think I've ever won anything writing before."

The Senior Soccer Challenge, which pits boys and girls all-stars from Pinellas and Hillsborough counties against each other, awarded the scholarship money to a player from each team based on an essay entitled "What Soccer Means to Me." Emily Simpson Freedom, Brian Snuffer (Alonso) and Sebastien Millette (Palm Harbor U.) were the other winners.

The girls all-stars from Pinellas scored a pair of goals in each half for a 4-0 victory, the county's fourth win in a row. Kathleen Hunter (Clearwater Central Catholic), Kelly Brinkman (PHU), Rebecca Postans (PHU) and Sami Striano (Countryside) all scored for Pinellas.

On the boys side, Hillsborough continued its dominance with a 1-0 win. It was Hillsborough's second win in a row and third in the past four years. Luis Cortes (Leto) scored the only goal of the night on a bending looper that appeared to be heading over the goal before dipping down under the crossbar.

Nadine Grant (Seminole), Eugene Starikov (PHU), Dariela Alcantra (Tampa Catholic) and Justin Morris (Jesuit) were named Most Valuable Players from their respective teams. All four were awarded $250 toward the future education.

"This was just a lot of fun," Morris said. "These are just the highest level of players so it's great to get to come out here and perform against them."

Brandon Wright can be reached at bwright@sptimes.com or (727) 892-2216.

[Last modified March 10, 2007, 00:24:38]