TC ekes one out; Berkeley cruises

Crusaders picks up 2-1 win over Lennard in Class 3A, District 9 semifinal.

By MIKE CAMUNAS
Published January 24, 2008

CLEARWATER - Tampa Catholic coach Kevin McCarron didn't want it that close.

The Crusaders picked up the 2-1 win over Lennard in its Class 3A, District 9 semifinal Wednesday night, but McCarron would have liked more of a cushion.

"I thought 2-0 was fine, but I told the boys I didn't think one goal was going to win the game," McCarron said. "Turns out it did. ...I knew it was going to be a tough game, because of our district game with them."

The Crusaders (11-7-1, 3-1-1) got a tough 3-2 win over the Longhorns (8-6-3, 1-2-2) in the regular season. On Wednesday, sophomore Andrew Buckley picked up both goals, first on an unassisted breakaway; then the second dribbling to the top of the goalbox and chipping it over keeper Jonathan Valdez.

German Galarza picked up Lennard's lone goal with less than five minutes remaining.

No. 1 seed Berkeley Prep made quick work of Clearwater Central Catholic (3-18-2, 0-3-1), trouncing the Marauders 5-0. The Buccaneers (9-7-6, 4-0-1) scored three goals in the first, including when T.J. Roehn, who had two goals, hit a shot to the left of the net. Roehn picked up his other goal on a cross from Zach Birch.

Jake Felman also picked up a goal and assist. The goal came when Felman headed in a throw in from Joey Rosati, and the assist to forward Jordan Crockett, who hit a 15-yard shot on the near left post.

"Coach Harte always puts out a good team and they always play with heart," Bucs coach Tim Cooper said. "(CCC) always gives you a battle no matter what their record is."

Berkeley Prep and Tampa Catholic will meet in the district championship Friday at 7 p.m.

Class 5A-8

WHARTON - Wharton knocked off Bloomingdale in a tight match 2-1 Wednesday.

In a game that was scoreless at halftime, the Wildcats' Joe Layton notched two second-half goals to send Wharton to the district finals.

Bloomingdale goalie Anthony De'Rosse kept his team close by making seven saves.

Chris Robles added a late goal for the Bulls in a heated contest marred by six yellow cards.

Freedom goalie Scott Montgomery played strong in net, tallying five saves.

In the other semifinal, Freedom easily dispatched King 5-0. Deion Jones scored the lone goal of a closely played first half on a shot from 25 yards out.

The Patriots controlled the second half, with forward Bobby Huertas scoring three breakaway goals to seal a district final berth.

Ryan Valenti scored a late goal and goalie Kyle Peel made five saves to preserve the shutout for the Patriots.

Freedom and Wharton vie for the championship Friday night at 7 at Wharton.

Sean Fitzgerald, Times correspondent

FAST FACTS

Girls region quarterfinals

All matches tonight at 7

Class 5ANewsome at River Ridge

Land O'Lakes at Bloomingdale

Plant at Palm Harbor University

East Lake at Hillsborough

Class 3A

Berkeley Prep at Fort Myers Bishop Verot

Class 2A

Indian Rocks Christian at Tampa Prep

Cambridge Christian at Shorecrest Prep

[Last modified January 24, 2008, 00:34:56]