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TAMPA - Greg Sasser takes it rather personally when Jesuit gives up a goal. Shutouts being the benchmark of any good defense, the sweeper and his teammates take it further than the score sheet. "Each goal we surrender," Sasser said, "is like a slap in the face."
And Jesuit (21-2) hasn't been slapped very often this season.
The Tigers' hope of reaching a third straight state semifinal rests on a back line that has given up just nine goals in 23 matches. Jesuit has recorded 18 shutouts this year, including 10 straight at one point.
"I love our defense," said Sasser, who was named defensive MVP at the prestigious Soccer Field Invitational when Jesuit posted shutouts in all four matches. "We all play fast, make good decisions and get physical when we need to."
That was most evident in the Tigers' elite bracket-clinching win over Fernandina Beach at the tournament. When the Pirates pushed, the Tigers pushed back harder and took Fernandina Beach out of its game.
"Playing that physical isn't our normal style," Sasser said. "But (Fernandina Beach) wanted to play that way, and we'll do whatever it takes."
The Tigers' attack isn't shabby, either, with 85 goals. The offense boasts four (Ali Van Gurp 17, Arthur Beil 13, Josh Menedez 11 and Keith Sierra 10) with double-digit goals.
"When defenses have focused on stopping one player, we've adapted because of our balance," Jesuit coach Bob Bauman said.
Class 6A, District 8 at Plant City
Schedule: Tuesday - No. 4 Sarasota vs. No. 5 East Bay, 4 p.m.; No. 3 Sarasota Riverview vs. No. 6 Riverview, 6; No. 2 Durant vs. No. 7 Lakeland, 8. Wednesday - Riverview-Sarasota Riverview winner vs. Durant-Lakeland winner, 6; No. 1 Plant City vs. Sarasote-East Bay winner, 8. Friday - final, 7 p.m.
The skinny Player to watch Last year Plant City shot out to a 12-0-2 record, but has since dropped two of its past three. Durant, last year's district runnerup, also lost two of its past three matches. One of the few holdovers after Durant graduated eight starters from last season, Cecil Clarke leads the team with 13 strikes. Champion: Sarasota
Class 6A, District 7 at Countryside
Schedule: Tuesday - No. 3 St. Petersburg vs. No. 6 Sickles, 6 p.m. No. 4 Countryside vs. No. 5 Mitchell, 8. Wednesday - No. 2 Gaither vs. St. Petersburg-Sickles winner, 6; No. 1 Alonso vs. Countryside-Mitchell winner, 8. Friday - Final, 7 p.m.
The skinny Player to watch Last year The Cougars lost 10 starters from last year's club and their stranglehold on the district. Alonso handed Countryside its first loss in last year's region final and returns another solid club. This is the most competitive district in the area. As dangerous helping as he is shooting, Alonso's Julio Perez has 25 goals and 21 assists. Champion: Countryside
Class 5A, District 10 at Leto
Schedule: Tuesday - No. 8 Blake vs. No. 9 Jefferson, 6. Wednesday - No. 4 Hillsborough vs. No. 5 Chamberlain, 4; No. 1 Jesuit vs. Blake-Jefferson winner, 6; No. 2 Plant vs. No. 7 Middleton, 6; No. 3 Leto vs. No. 6 Robinson, 8. Friday - semifinals, 6 and 8. Saturday - finals, 3.
The skinny Player to watch Last year Jesuit ran through its district play in deciding fashion, going 8-0 and outscoring opponents 50-1. The Tigers begin district tournament Tuesday at Leto after winning nine straight to end the season and winning three tournaments. Jesuit's right outside mid Keith Sierra had 10 goals and 13 assists, with eight goals coming in district games. The Tigers offense runs from the outside in, and Sierra's speed down the flank creates great opportunities for Jesuit. Champion: Hillsborough
Class 5A, District 8 at Brandon and Wharton
Schedule: Tuesday - at Brandon: No. 1 Bloomingdale vs. No. 8 Tampa Bay Tech, 6; No. 3 King vs. No. 6 Brandon, 8; at Wharton: No. 2 Freedom vs. No. 7 Armwood, 6; No. 4 Wharton vs. No. 5 Newsome, 8. Wednesday - at Wharton: King-Brandon winner vs. Freedom-Armwood winner, 6; Bloomingdale-TBT winner vs. Wharton-Newsome winner, 8. Friday - at Wharton: final, 7.
The skinny Player to watch Last year Bloomingdale and Freedom look the strongest on paper, but this tourney should be a good one. King knocked off Bloomingdale earlier this season, Newsome is strong and Brandon is a dangerous team. With possibly the county's best knack for goal, Freedom's Bobby Huertas has struck 28 times. Champion: Freedom
Class 3A, Distict 9 at Clearwater Central Catholic
Schedule: Tuesday - No. 5 CCC vs. No. 4 St. Petersburg Catholic, 7. Wednesday - CCC-SPC winner vs. No. 1 Berkeley Prep, 6; No. 3 Lennard vs. No. 2 Tampa Catholic, 8. Friday - final, 7
The skinny Player to watch Last year CCC graduated nearly all of its starters from last year's state final team, which opens up this district. Berkeley Prep has been strong, winning all district matches except a tie against Lennard. Sophomore striker Andrew Buckley has scored 16 times and will be key if Tampa Catholic is to advance. Champion: Clearwater Central Catholic
Class 2A, District 10 at Indian Rocks Christian
Schedule: Tuesday - IRC vs. Calvary Christian, 5; Tampa Prep vs. Cambridge, 7. Friday - final, 7 p.m.
The skinny Player to watch Last year All you need to know about the defending state champion Terrapins is that they are very good. Tampa Prep is balanced on offense, and has a stout midfield and arguably the area's best keeper. Should be a breeze. Senior keeper Brad Sienkiewicz has 12 shutouts for Tampa Prep and is as athletic as they come. Champion: Indian Rocks Christian
Class 2A, District 9 at Bishop McLaughlin
Schedule: Tuesday - No. 1 Bishop McLaughlin vs. No. 4 Carrollwood Day, 7; No. 2 Hernando Christian vs. No. 3 Academy at the Lakes, 5. Friday - final, 7.
The skinny Player to watch Last year The district landscape shifted dramatically when Tampa Prep left, leaving these four teams left to fight it out. Bishop McLaughlin's top weapon, Matt Gronau, scored 17 times this year. Champion: Tampa Prep
News
Fifty years ago, they were screwed-up kids sent to the Florida School for Boys to be straightened out. But now they are screwed-up men, scarred by the whippings they endured. Read the story and see a video and portrait gallery.
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