Girls soccer: Despite mutual respect, intense rivalry remains

The Hurricanes and Eagles enjoy the high level of competition when they meet up.

By BRYAN BURNS
Published January 29, 2008

PALM HARBOR - Palm Harbor University and East Lake.

It's Pinellas County's version of the Hatfields and the McCoys.

Tonight's girls soccer region semifinal is the fifth meeting this season between the rivals, six if you count a preseason game in the Countryside Classic.

The adage "familiarity breeds contempt," however, need not apply here. According to both coaches, the teams have a mutual respect for each other and enjoy the high competition level the game affords.

"I think for the most part (the rivalry is) pretty friendly," East Lake coach Raleigh Daves said. "While we're playing, no, it's not. But we've got some girls on our team and their team that play club together. That creates animosity when they play.

"It's kind of like playing your brother or sister, where you give everything because you don't want to lose to your family. But after it's done you're still friends."

PHU coach John Planamenta agrees.

"Sometimes emotions get the better of the girls, but it's friendly," he said. "I think the fans take it a little further than the players do. The atmosphere is great. Both sides bring a lot of fans to the games, but sometimes it can get a bit out of control."

PHU has won the past three meetings, including a 2-0 win in the final of the Hurricane Watch tournament - a game that was called after halftime due to inclement weather - and again last week, a 4-1 victory in the Class 5A, District 9 final.

East Lake handed the Hurricanes their only loss of the season, a 2-1 defeat in the season's first month.

"Sometimes it's good to get beaten, especially early on," Planamenta said. "That loss puts in the back of our mind that they are capable of beating us."

Expect another high-intensity, emotionally charged match tonight with the winner one step closer to Fort Lauderdale and the loser done for the year.

"It's such a great rivalry," Daves said. "If you can't get up for these games, then you shouldn't be out there."

Region semifinals

All games tonight at 7.

6A   |   Countryside (12-6-1) at Mitchell (20-3-2)

The skinny: In the 6A-7 district final, Mitchell stunned top-seeded Countryside 1-0. The Cougars will look for revenge tonight.

5A   |   East Lake (15-5) at Palm Harbor University (17-1-2)

The skinny: For the second year in a row, PHU and East Lake meet in the regional round. The Hurricanes defeated the Eagles 2-0 in the region finals last season.

5A   |   Lakewood Ranch (18-2-1) at Seminole (17-2-1)

The skinny: Lakewood Ranch all-time leading goal scorer Lindsay Thompson paces the Mustangs with 43 goals this season.

3A   |   Berkeley Prep (10-10-3) at Clearwater CC (15-5-5)

The skinny: Another district final revenge match, CCC took the 3A-9 title with a 2-0 victory, but the Bucs were without star player Taylor Richardson, who was at a national tournament in Texas. Richardson is expected to play tonight.

2A   |   Shorecrest Prep (15-4-1) at Tampa Prep (22-1-1)

The skinny: In three playoff games, Tampa Prep has outscored its opponents 22-1. 

[Last modified January 29, 2008, 00:46:43]