Hillsborough: Girls soccer midseason report

By BRANDON WRIGHT, Times Correspondent
Published December 16, 2007

The girls soccer season is just past the midway point, and we've learned a few things. The best soccer is being played in the east portion of the county, and the 5A-8 district tournament should be fun. Newsome, Bloomingdale, Freedom and Wharton all have a shot at the title. Oh yeah, and Tampa Prep is good ... very good. Here's a look at some of the top players at each position in the county as the stretch run toward the playoffs heats up:

Forward

Tampa Prep coach Pam Smith heard in August that a transfer named Chelsea Klotz would be joining the team. But it wasn't until tryouts rolled around when Smith got to see Klotz on the field and realized exactly what she had.

"To say the least," Smith said, "I was pleasantly surprised."

Klotz's impact has been colossal, racking up an area-best 37 goals. Klotz, who has committed to USF, has topped her junior total of 36 at Lake Brantley and may be looking at a 60-goal season. The senior striker doesn't possess blazing speed but has a keen understanding of space, and along with Paige Goodwin, she gives the undefeated Terps a dangerous one-two punch up top.

"Chelsea's quick, but she reads the game so well and times her runs perfectly," Smith said. "They are a deadly combo."

Midfield

Newsome's Ana Cate will never be accused of loafing around. Just watch the Wolves play and it's clear the junior's motor doesn't stop. Cate checks back to help out on defense, pushes Newsome's attack and is not afraid to go in hard on a slide tackle.

"I try to make (the midfield) mine," Cate said. "If we control that, we're in good shape."

Cate, as feisty as she is talented, also has the ball skills and touch to match her aggressive style. Newsome's team is built on defense, but Cate is key for the Wolves to make another deep playoff run.

Defender

Any good defense needs a solid sweeper, and Plant has that in Chelsea Hearne, a player coach Stephen McGill refers to as "the mistake eraser."

"If one of our halfbacks get beat," he said, "she's going to be there to clean it up."

The Panthers haven't given up a goal this season, and much of that can be attributed to the 6-foot Hearne. The senior also is a weapon for the Panthers on set pieces.

"Her height and her strength in the air gives us a huge advantage on corners, plus she takes our throw-ins and can reach about 30 yards," McGill said. "We probably have scored about 80 percent of our goals on set plays."

Goalkeeper

Cristina Coca started as a freshman for Bloomingdale's team that reached the state final two years ago, and she has been between the woodwork for the Bulls ever since. Coca possesses excellent reactions - an essential component of any goalkeeper - but the junior's strength lies in her cerebral approach.

"She's the most analytical keeper I've ever had," veteran Bloomingdale coach Sue Peet said. "She watches and understands everything. The best way to put it is that she's a student of the game."

[Last modified December 15, 2007, 22:24:23]