Community

Wesley Chapel Flames start year with a big win

By MIKE CAMUNAS, Times Staff Writer
Published January 11, 2008

The Wesley Chapel U-11 Flames returned to action from the holiday break and started the new year on the right foot. The Flames traveled to the Mitchell fields and faced the West Pasco Thunder and left with a 6-2 win.

After a sluggish start and numerous missed shots, Connar Lufkin scored the first of four goals in a 10-minute span. Lufkin's second-chance goal in the 17th minute was followed by Bronson Strampel 19th minute, Martin Ozores (24th) and Grant Tinberg (27th). Goalie Austin Moore was solid in the net to secure a 4-0 lead at the half.

Strampel scored his second goal on a pass from Lufkin just three minutes in to the extend the lead to 5-0, but the defense got sloppy and allowed the Thunder to score two quick goals.

After controlling the midfield for most of the second, the Thunder started to wear down with solid tackles and defensive play by Strampel, Ozores, Andrew Lao and Eric Pitton. Lufkin scored his second goal for the Flames' sixth late in the game.

Lacrosse: The Tampa Tribe made it to the Rising Stars championship game of the Dick's Sporting Goods Tournament of Champions on Sunday. However, the Tribe lost to Team Illinois West 11-2.

More lacrosse: The Wesley Chapel Athletic Association has opened registration for boys and girls lacrosse.

The WCAA has lacrosse programs for all ages from first through 12th grade. WCAA Youth Rec Lacrosse for elementary school students runs Friday nights beginning Feb. 1. WCAA Warriors competitive lacrosse for middle and high school students begins Feb. 8.

Practices for both groups begin Jan. 14 at the Wesley Chapel District Park. Log on to www.wclacrosse.com to register. For more information, contact Frank Britton at (813) 997-3365 or Tom FitzSimons at (813) 841-2374 or e-mail at lacrosse@wcaafla.org

Rugby: The Tampa Barbarians, a new Wesley Chapel rugby team, seeks high school players 14-19. The season begins Jan. 13 and runs through March, while the team practices Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Tampa Community Park next to Freedom High School. For more information, contact coach Mark Van Trees (813) 363-4402.

Baseball: The West Florida Young Guns baseball club is looking for players for 13 and under and 8 and under age groups. Players can not be 14 or 9 before May 1. The competitive travel club is based in Hudson. Call Jim at (727) 226-2885 or Chris at (727)919-8954 for more information.

Clinic: Sunlake High School will hold a baseball clinic from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday.

Major league coaches will be conducting the seminars for coaches and players. Cost is $40 for adults and $25 for students. All proceeds will be donated to Sunlake.

Tom Nieto, first base coach and catching instructor for the New York Mets, will be there along with Rob Thomson (New York Yankees bench coach), Dave Eiland (Yankees pitching coach) and Derek Shelton (hitting coach for the Cleveland Indians).

To register or to obtain more information, call Billy Garcia at (813) 996-6274.

Submit information, news items to mike.camunas@gmail.com

[Last modified January 10, 2008, 21:05:43]