Boys 2A soccer: Shorecrest blasted in loss

Right from the start, the Chargers have no answer for the speedy, skillful Falcons.

By BOB PUTNAM
Published February 6, 2008

Shorecrest goalkeeper Toms Bernhards slumps after giving up his fifth goal of the first half. St. Stephens scored six in the half.
	[Edmund D. Fountain | Times]

ST. PETERSBURG - Shorecrest coach Jeff Deidrich read enough to know Bradenton St. Stephens was a powerful, well-oiled machine.

But that wasn't enough to prepare him for what happened Tuesday night.

The Falcons showed off some of their extravagant skills, using their speed and firepower to attack early and often.

The result was six goals - in the first half.

That was more than enough for St. Stephens to advance in a 7-1 victory. In two playoff games against county opponents, the Falcons have won by a combined 15-1.

"I had heard a lot about St. Stephens and knew they were good," Deidrich said. "I just didn't expect them to be that good."

The Falcons were all menacing movement in the first half, and the scoring started five minutes in on a goal by Ryley Delgado.

St. Stephens (17-2-3) then showed its balance with goals from six players. Besides Delgado, the others who scored were Kyle Bellingar (2), Alex Walters, Kevin Peterson, Marc Hartmann and Chris Scott.

"Delgado got to us early with a hard shot that went in and things just snowballed from there," Deidrich said.

In the second half, Shorecrest (15-3-2) looked for an equalizer but never found one, although Alistair Flynn scored with less than five minutes remaining.

"The biggest thing was when they countered, they were able to put the ball in the net," Deidrich said. "I was pleased with the way we were able to play in the second half.

"I just feel like the score wasn't indicative of the season we had."

[Last modified February 6, 2008, 00:33:15]