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North Suncoast: Boys Soccer preview

Plenty of the North Suncoast's top talent has exited the area and moved on past high school. One team appears to be virtually unscathed. Land O'Lakes won its third consecutive district title last year with a youthful crop of tenacious players. The group, highlighted by 17 juniors , felt the bitter low of falling to county rival Pasco on its home field, then the tingling high of claiming a district crown in impressive fashion. The Gators spent the offseason pondering the sting of a 5-1 loss to Wharton in the region quarterfinals and what it would take to remedy the problems. The next two seasons look promising for the Gators, but anything short of moving past the first round of the state tournament would be considered a disaster.  "The big question mark is if we can put it together on the field," Land O'Lakes coach Mark Pearson said. "We should do well, but the bull's-eye definitely is on us this year."

By IZZY GOULD AND DAVID MURPHY
Published November 7, 2007

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Times' North Suncoast preseason top 10

1. Land O'Lakes (20-5-2): A young team matured in winning its third consecutive district title; returns as arguably the most experienced and talented group.

2. Pasco (21-1-2): Heavy losses, including four-year starting keeper Jose Hernandez and key pieces such as Ramon Rodriguez, Roberto Cervantes and Luis Ortiz. But the talent pool in Dade City is deep.

3. Mitchell (14-7-3): With the departures of Matt O'Shaughnessy and Jon Koshko, Mitchell is likely farther from the top of the pack than last year. But don't count out the Mustangs.

4. Springstead (13-3-6): Capable of playing with the likes of Pasco and Orlando Bishop Moore, the Eagles should be a force despite losing players such as Matt Fernandez and Chris Baker.

5. Wesley Chapel (12-7-2): The Wildcats will lean heavily on keeper Kyle Funkhouser to stay in games while their young scorers develop.

6. Bishop McLaughlin (14-6): The Hurricanes won their first district title and had a nice playoff run. They return with a lot of experience.

7. River Ridge (9-8-2): First-year coach Mike McHugh inherits a team that has just two seniors but plenty of potential.

8. Gulf (10-6-1): The Bucs have a new man at the helm in Grant Wortz, and his club experience should pay dividends.

9. Hudson (11-11-2): The Cobras lack experience but have plenty of depth and should make some noise, thanks to Scotty Combs and his 27 goals from last season.

10. Central (10-8-3): Bears lost three key seniors from last year's team but should be the No. 2 team in Hernando County.

 

District breakdown 

Class 6A, District 7

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

Defending champ: Countryside

Runnerup: Alonso

Outlook: How tough is this district? Last season, Alonso made it to the final four . Despite some key losses, including Matt O'Shaughnessy, now a freshman defender at Florida Gulf Coast, Mitchell could again be one of the more talented teams in Pasco County, but it will be hard pressed to get to the postseason. Sophomores Robert Wallace (keeper) and Max Rockwell will help lead the defense .

Class 5A, District 7

Teams: Central, Land O'Lakes, Ridgewood, River Ridge, Wesley Chapel

Defending champ: Land O'Lakes

Runnerup: Wesley Chapel

Outlook: Land O'Lakes is the only team from this district that has won a playoff game in the past four seasons, but Wesley Chapel and River Ridge have improved. The Royal Knights feature first-year coach Mike McHugh . The Wildcats have two seniors plus up-and-comers in Eric Karcinski and Blake Monaghan.

Class 4A, District 8

Teams: Gulf, Hernando, Hudson, Nature Coast, Pasco, Springstead, Sunlake, Wiregrass Ranch, Zephyrhills

Defending champ: Pasco

Runnerup: Springstead

Outlook: Last year, Pasco saw its impressive run ended by eventual state champion Ponte Vedra Beach Nease in the region finals. Barry Grayling's Pirates enter the season as the unquestioned district favorite, thanks in large part to senior forward Jose Montelongo. Springstead again will be the team to beat in Hernando County . Hudson won four playoff matches from 2000-05 but was a .500 team last season. Hernando lost goalkeeper Lance Vandervoort and forward Scott Crespo to graduation, and coach Anthony Miziko to a new job.

Class 2A, District 9

Teams: Academy at the Lakes, Bishop McLaughlin, Carrollwood, Hernando Christian

Defending champ: Tampa Prep

Runnerup: Bishop McLaughlin

Outlook: With Tampa Prep moving to 2A-10, Bishop McLaughlin enters as the favorite to win the first district title in school history, one year after picking up the first playoff win in school history.

 

Players to Watch

1. Jose Montelongo, Pasco, F Sr.

Arguably the top returning North Suncoast player, notching 31 goals and 16 assists last season.

2. Dominic Cutrofello, Land O'Lakes, MF, Jr.

Solid attacker who helped the Gators win their third consecutive district title with 15 goals last season.

3. Brad Chapman, Mitchell, MF, Sr.

The Mustangs' top returning player who registered 15 goals as a junior.

4. Alex Spock, Land O'Lakes GK, Jr.

A talented keeper with lots of natural ability and the leg of a Division I kicker.

5. Matt Gronau, Bishop McLaughlin, F, Sr.

Scored 19 goals and notched four assists to help lead the Hurricanes their first playoff berth.

6. Matt Tanner, Land O'Lakes, D, Sr.

He's a Division I prospect and captain. He'll play defense and midfield.

7. Cody Grey, Central, MF, Sr.

The pulse in the middle scored 14 goals and tallied four assists for the Bears.

8. Kyle Funkhouser, Wesley Chapel, GK, Sr.

The goalie won the job last season and proved to be a crucial addition to the back.

9. Frank Villar, Land O'Lakes , MF, So.

Only a sophomore, the speed midfielder has drawn great praise from coach Mark Pearson.

10. Matt Colontonio, Wesley Chapel, D, Sr.

Talented defender and arguably the Wildcats' top returning player.

11. Robbie Wallace, Mitchell, GK, So.

Talented goalkeeper should have Mitchell in the mix for a conference title.

12. Eric Karcinski, River Ridge, GK/MF, Sr.

Finished as the Knights' second-leading scorer last season despite playing much of the first half of the year at goalkeeper.

13. Kyle Beach, Springstead, GK, Sr.

The 6-foot-8 keeper is very vocal and his size plays a huge role.

14. Keenan Fisher, Springstead, D, Sr.

An experienced senior with plenty of talent and leadership skills.

 

Key dates

Nov. 8

Springstead at Central, 7:30

Nov. 16

River Ridge at Mitchell, 8

Nov. 19

Land O'Lakes at River Ridge, 8

Nov. 20

Land O'Lakes at Pasco, 8

Nov. 21

Mitchell at Gulf

Nov. 28

Land O'Lakes at Wesley Chapel, 8

Springstead at Pasco, 6:30

Nov. 30

Land O'Lakes at Wesley Chapel, 8

Gulf at Springstead, 6:30

Dec. 3

Land O'Lakes at Hudson, 8

Nature Coast at Hernando, 8

Dec. 4

Zephyrhills at Springstead, 6:30

Dec. 5

Wesley Chapel at River Ridge, 8

Land O'Lakes at Central, 8

Dec. 6

CC Catholic at Mitchell

River Ridge at Pasco, 8

Dec. 7

Central at Wesley Chapel, 6

Mitchell at Zephyrhills

Ridgewood at River Ridge, 8

Dec. 12

River Ridge at Land O'Lakes, 8

Springstead at Hudson, 6:30

Dec. 14

Wesley Chapel at Land O'Lakes, 6

Dec. 17

Hudson at Wesley Chapel, 6

Sunlake at Land O'Lakes, 8

Zephyrhills at River Ridge, 8

Central at Springstead, 8

Dec. 19

Land O'Lakes at Mitchell, 8

Dec. 20

Pasco at Springstead, 6:30

Jan. 11

Central at Land O'Lakes, 8

Jan. 14

Wesley Chapel at Pasco, 6

Zephyrhills at Land O'Lakes, 8

 

[Last modified November 6, 2007, 20:58:52]