Boys soccer: Jesuit rolls past Plant for title

Jesuit scores twice in the first 11 minutes to pull away from Plant for the district crown.

By MIKE CAMUNAS, Times Correspondent
Published January 27, 2008

TAMPA - Jesuit coach Bob Bauman already took care of it.

With his Tigers dominating this season - they have just two losses, allowed only one goal against district teams and, of course, picked up the Class 5A, District 10 title with their 5-0 win over Plant on Saturday afternoon - Bauman may have to deal with his players' egos. That is, if he hadn't already after their first loss of the season.

"We took care of that at the beginning of the season," said Bauman, who is in his 21st season at Jesuit. "We had some senioritis, and we took our team for granted and lost 1-0 to Manatee. But since then, we've played more as a team. There are egos on this team, no doubt about it, but we've been smarter about it on the field."

Jesuit (24-2, 11-0) jumped out quickly, scoring just two minutes into the game when Chase Fifner headed in a corner kick from Joshua Menendez. Nine minutes later, Brian Hartlage hit a one-timer off a deflection from Panthers keeper Kyle Henson.

Ali Van Gurp scored in the 24th minute, giving the Tigers their 100th goal this season, and Arthur Beil added a goal late in the first half.

"Obviously, the better team won," Plant coach Chad Ebright said. "From top to bottom, their speed we just can't match."

The Panthers (8-5-3, 8-2-1) lost captain Will Munch in the first, when he fell awkwardly on his forehead and was taken off the field by a stretcher after being unconscious for more than two minutes.

Munch was taken to St. Joseph's hospital, Ebright said, and suffered a concussion. He was released Saturday evening.

Jesuit 5 Plant 0

[Last modified January 26, 2008, 21:50:16]