Girls soccer: Marauders earn state berth the hard way

By COREY LONG, Times correspondent
Published February 2, 2008

---

CLEARWATER - Lindsey Cooper scored the golden goal with 1:03 remaining in the second overtime to send Clearwater Central Catholic to the state semifinals in Fort Lauderdale with a 2-1 victory over West Shore.

Cooper received a pass from Kelly Campbell and needed to work her way around two West Shore defenders to get a shot on goal. The shot deflected off keeper Casey Smolar and into the net.

The Marauders started on the attack but could not put together a solid scoring opportunity in the first 30 minutes until Cooper had an open-net opportunity thwarted when a West Shore defender threw her body in front of the shot at the last second.

West Shore cashed in when senior Toni Pressley made an impressive 60-yard run, blowing by three CCC defenders and executing a perfect cross kick to Raye Salkey for the goal and 1-0 lead.

Pressley, who is headed to Florida State, had another opportunity a minute later when she danced around four CCC defenders, but her shot went wide.

The Marauders (17-5-3) finally tied it with 5:33 remaining when Jolie Anniclianco was the beneficiary of a defensive lapse.

Two West Shore (11-11-1) defenders misplayed a 50-50 ball from Clare Grchan that landed at Anniclianco's feet with a clear path to the net and an easy equalizer.

West Shore controlled much of the overtimes but was continuously turned away by CCC keeper Mackenzie Kehner (16 saves).