Preps

Pinellas: Girls soccer preview

By BRANDON WRIGHT, Times Staff Writer
Published October 29, 2007

EAST LAKE

Last season, East Lake believed it had finally solved the riddle that is Palm Harbor U.

The Eagles handed the Hurricanes their only defeat of the regular season and had a shot at knocking them out in the region final.

The confidence was there - or was it?

"It was mental," East Lake coach Raleigh Daves said.

The Hurricanes won 2-0 on their way to a state final berth. But that has been the story for the Eagles recently: close but not quite there.

Two seasons ago, East Lake lost to Bradenton Lakewood Ranch on penalty kicks in a region semifinal.

Then came last season's loss to PHU, which has stood in the way like a 400-pound gorilla.

"I think the girls are past that whole mental thing," Daves said. I can say they are definitely looking forward to the challenge in front of them."

That confidence stems from East Lake returning nearly everyone from last season's club. It lost just two seniors and features speed up top Leah Fisher and Alicia Nalley, skill in the midfield (Tessa MacGregor), a stingy backline (Tara Petzoldt) and a solid goalkeeper (Ali Burnham).

So will this be the season the Eagles get past the Hurricanes and reach that elusive state semifinal.

"That," Daves said, "is the big question."

Districts

Class 6A, District 7

Teams: Alonso, Countryside, Gaither, Mitchell, St. Petersburg, Sickles

Last season's champ: St. Petersburg

Last season's runnerup: Countryside

The skinny: Countryside and St. Petersburg likely will battle it out for supremacy once again. But St. Petersburg's Rodrigues sisters, Andrea and Adrianna, now have competition in the district as the top siblings. Sickles features freshman twins and under-14 national team members Sydney and Shelby Payne.

Class 5A, Districts 9

Teams: Clearwater, East Lake, Largo, Palm Harbor U., Pinellas Park, Tarpon Springs

Last season's champ: Palm Harbor U.

Last season's runnerup: East Lake

The skinny: With no disrespect to a solid Tarpon Springs club, this district is all about PHU and East Lake. The Hurricanes knocked the Eagles out of the playoffs and reached the state final last season before losing to Satellite Beach Satellite.

Class 5A, District 11

Teams: Boca Ciega, Dixie Hollins, Gibbs, Lakewood, Northeast, Osceola, Seminole

Last season's champ: Seminole

Last season's runnerup: Lakewood

The skinny: Christina Barschel, Taylor Mattox and Tess Hipp lead a talented Seminole squad that lost to PHU in last season's region semifinals.

Class 3A, District 9

Teams: Academy of the Holy Names, Berkeley Prep, Clearwater Central Catholic, St. Petersburg Catholic, Tampa Catholic

Last season's champ: CCC

Last season's runnerup: SPC

The skinny: CCC reached the region semifinals last season before losing to a talented Melbourne West Shore club. The Marauders figure to be in the mix again, but watch out for SPC.

Class 2A, District 9

Teams: Bishop McLaughlin, Calvary Christian, Cambridge, Tampa Prep

Last season's champ: Tampa Prep

Last season's runnerup: Cambridge

The skinny: The Terrapins have owned their district for several seasons, and not much should change this season.

Class 2A, District 10

Teams: Indian Rocks Christian, Keswick Christian, Northside Christian, Shorecrest

Last season's champ: Shorecrest

Last season's runnerup: IRC

The skinny: Times coach of the year Neal Wolfrath has turned the Chargers into a solid program. IRC, featuring super sophomore Jensen Eifert, might give them a run.e_SClBPlayers to watch

Taylor Mattox, Seminole

Mattox, right, has led the Warhawks in scoring the past two seasons.

Kaley Blades, Dunedin

Part of the national team pool who was hurt most of last season.

Christina Brabson, Countryside

Great reactions and length between the woodwork.

Leah Fisher, East Lake

Unbelievable speed; committed to Notre Dame.

Jeannel Huffman, Countryside

Scored 22 goals last season.

Kristi Kauzlarich, Lakewood

Should pace the Spartans in goals.

Monica Lee, PHU

Now that Victoria Wyandt is gone, the keeper job is all hers.

Andrea Rodrigues, St. Petersburg

Rodrigues, right, has possibly the best footwork in the county; committed to UCF.

Kristin Russell, SPC

Barons coach Gary Kolb called her his most complete player.

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

[Last modified October 29, 2007, 00:17:55]