Boys soccer: Land O'Lakes keeps rolling with district win

By MIKE CAMUNAS
Published January 12, 2008

LAND O'LAKES - Coach Mark Pearson isn't going complain.

Really, the longtime Gators coach can't. With his team sitting high atop the Class 5A, District 7 standings and the district tournament just a little more than a week away, Pearson watched Land O'Lakes coast to an easy 2-0 win against district foe Central on Friday night.

"I can't complain (about a game like this)," Pearson said. "I was only disappointed that we didn't finish on some opportunities tonight."

Certainly Pearson wasn't disappointed with the two opportunities in the first half that gave the Gators (21-1-1, 8-0) a 2-0 lead.

In the 30th minute, junior midfielder Felix Soto headed in a cross from midfielder Dominic Cutrofello for his eighth goal of the season. Six minutes later, senior forward Elliot Leniton picked up his 19th goal of the season from about 18 yards out.

Except for that, it was pretty quiet. Just how Bears coach Hank Deslaurier wanted this game.

"This game means nothing to either team," said Deslaurier, referring to the fact that Land O'Lakes and Central have wrapped up the No. 1 and 2 seeds for districts, respectively. "We came to just get a look (at them). ... Tonight doesn't change anything, even if we beat them tonight 8-0."

Missing key players such as Cristiam Leal (injury) and Darren Foreman (red-card suspension), the Bears (13-6-1, 5-2-1) had limited scoring opportunities, with just four shots in the first half.

Land O'Lakes goalkeeper Alex Spock picked up his 14th shutout of the season Friday, and the defense is allowing less than 10 shots per game.

The Gators' only blemish this season: a 3-2 loss on Dec. 7 to Tampa Catholic. So Pearson certainly has no gripes.

"There are none," Pearson said. "I've been very happy with everybody's performances to date. I mean there's a few little things we can work on. ... I do know we need to be a little sharper for districts."

[Last modified January 11, 2008, 23:30:27]