Title in Gators' sights

By IZZY GOULD, Times Staff Writer
Published January 20, 2008

LAND O'LAKES

Is this the best boys soccer team in Land O'Lakes history?

Not yet, if you ask Gators coach Mark Pearson. There's plenty left to accomplish in his eyes, beginning with earning a state berth.

The quest begins this week for the three-time defending Class 5A, District 7 champions. If the Gators hope to become the third final four team in school history, they'll have to lean on a season's worth of experience.

"In order to be the best team this program has ever had, they would have to achieve more than the squad in 1999 did," Pearson said. "At this level, I believe that teams are defined by their success, not by records or rankings. We have a very talented, hardworking group, so I believe that they have the potential to do this."

Battle tested

The Gators need only think back to a 3-2 loss at Tampa Catholic on Dec. 7 to stay grounded.

"They surprised us," Gators senior midfielder Matt Tanner said. "We should have come out and played better than we did. It was more of a lesson. We haven't taken anyone lightly since then."

Land O'Lakes had a bad night. The Gators weren't playing at a high level, and it cost them. There have been other close calls, including a 2-2 finish against Palm Harbor University on Nov. 23 and a 2-1 win over Gaither on Jan. 5. Some Gators said the Cowboys defense was one of the toughest they faced.

"They were one of the most skilled teams," forward Elliott Leniton said. "They were very aggressive."

Postseason lessons

Despite three consecutive district titles, the Gators have made quick exits in the state tournament the past two seasons. Last year's 5-1 loss at home to Wharton in the region quarterfinal was tough, as was the 1-0 overtime loss to Freedom in the same round in 2006.

"This year's been such a turnaround from previous years," senior Alex Zimmerman said. "I feel like we have a better team now. We have a chance."

Fall off?

Wondering if Land O'Lakes will have a dropoff? The Gators' junior varsity team had an impressive season, finishing 13-1. After a 4-2 win to open the season against River Ridge followed by a 5-0 loss to Pasco, the Gators finished with 12 straight wins - all shutouts.

But many of those players will have to fight for playing time. The Gators only lose three seniors from this year's club (Leniton, Zimmerman and Tanner).

Key elements

Talent breeds confidence, and there are plenty of great players on this team. Some say the Gators' success begins with goalkeeper Alex Spock. He is one of those players teammates easily could take for granted.

"He's just so solid in the back," Leniton said. "You can trust him to make big saves. He's really clutch."

Spock is a junior keeper with the ability to play forward for spot minutes. In a game against Ridgewood, Spock played five minutes out of net and scored twice.

"I thought it was pretty cool our keeper could do that," Tanner said.

Defensively, John Gorman comes to mind. Pearson calls him "the quietest unsung hero of the group." Ten of the 12 goals allowed by the Gators came when their sweeper was sidelined with a foot injury. In the midfield, Sebastian Garcia and Tanner help dictate the pace while sparking scoring opportunities. Their job is to win the ball from opponents. They've combined for 42 assists. And on the front line, Leniton and Dominic Cutrofello bring size, speed and versatility to the position. They've combined for 49 goals and 33 assists. Leniton missed roughly 10 games due to injury (hip).

"If he would have played in those game," Peason said, "he would have 35 (or) 40 goals."

Cutrofello garners most of the attention because of how he handles the ball.

"He's pretty good with his feet," Spock said. "If he gets the ball, it takes a lot for the other team to steal it. If he needs to he can get it off to somebody, and he knows where to move to get to the open spots."

By the numbers

100 Goals the Gators have scored this season

25 Most wins in school history

23 Wins this season

12 Goals the Gators have allowed this season

13 Current win streak. Pearson said the longest win streak is 15, which the Gators would need to match to advance to state

4 20-win seasons in Pearson's 11 seasons as coach

The Pearson file

After two seasons as an assistant/junior varsity coach, Pearson took over as the varsity coach in 1997. He inherited a team that finished 7-11-3 in '96 and guided his '97 team within one win of the final four, posting an 11-9-2 mark. In his second season, the Gators went 18-4-3 and reached the Class 5A final before falling 3-1 to Fort Myers. And in his third season, Pearson guided the Gators to the Class 3A final four but fell 3-2 in the state semifinal to Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas. Pearson was an assistant who helped guide the University of Tampa to the Division II championship in 1994. "He's probably the best coach I've had," forward Elliott Leniton said.

Class 6A, District 7 at Countryside

Schedule: Tuesday - No. 3 St. Petersburg vs. No. 6 Sickles, 6; 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.

The skinny

Gaither and Alonso have the firepower to battle for region berths. But if there's a team with a shot at an upset, it could be Mitchell.

Class 5A, District 7 at River Ridge

Schedule: Tuesday - No. 5 Wesley Chapel vs. No. 4 Ridgewood, 7 p.m.; Wednesday - No. 1 Land O'Lakes vs. Ridgewood-Wesley Chapel winner, 6 p.m.; No. 3 River Ridge vs. No. 2 Central, 8 p.m.; Friday - final, 7 p.m.

The skinny

Land O'Lakes has lost just one game and is primed to claim yet another district title with arguably its best team. The fight for the other postseason berth should come down to Central and River Ridge.

Class 4A, District 8 at Wiregrass Ranch

Schedule:Monday - No. 9 Hernando vs. No. 8 Nature Coast, 6:30; Tuesday - No. 7 Sunlake vs. No. 2 Hudson, 2 p.m.; No. 6 Zephyrhills vs. No. 3 Springstead, 4 p.m.; No. 1 Pasco vs. Hernando-Nature Coast winner, 6 p.m.; No. 4 Wiregrass Ranch vs. No. 5 Gulf, 8 p.m.; Wednesday - semifinals 5:30, 7:30; Friday - final, 7:30 p.m.

The skinny

Pasco has the firepower with Jose Montelongo - the North Suncoast's top goal scorer with 41 - and experience, having gone deep in the postseason the past two seasons. The real battle will be for the second state tournament berth with almost every team within reach.

Class 2A, District 9 at Bishop McLaughlin

Schedule: Tuesday - No. 2 Hernando Christian vs. No. 3 Academy at the Lakes, 5 p.m.; No. 1 Bishop McLaughlin vs. No. 4 Carrollwood, 7 p.m.; Friday - final, 7 p.m.

The skinny

Bishop McLaughlin should claim the top state tournament berth for the second consecutive season, with Hernando Christian locking down the other postseason spot.

[Last modified January 19, 2008, 22:39:24]