Place an Ad Calendars Classified Forums Sports Weather

sptimes.com Text-only News sections Arts & Entertainment AP The Wire Business Citrus County Columnists Floridian Hernando County Hillsborough Letters Movies Neighborhood Times News Update North Pinellas North of Tampa Obituaries Opinion Pasco County South Pinellas Sports State Tampa Bay TV Times World & Nation  Find your local news section Weekly sections Brandon Times City Times Homes Outdoors Perspective Personal Tech Taste Travel Weekend Xpress Special Sections Arena football Buccaneers College football Devil Rays Lightning Police reports Schools Seniority Subscriber Services Subscribe Renew Help Advertise Place an ad In print Online Market Info Join Us Internships Scholarships Times Jobs Contact us

Two late goals lift PHU to win

The Hurricanes rally for a 2-1 victory over Durant with two goals in the final 15 minutes of play.

By ERIC VICIAN

© St. Petersburg Times, published January 13, 2001

PLANT CITY -- The hustle paid off for Palm Harbor University. But for Durant, the Hurricanes' second-half spark meant elimination from contention for the top seed at the Class 4A, District 7 tournament.

Durant, picked in the preseason to be the odd team out of a district that includes the defending Class 3A champion Hurricanes and first-place Bloomingdale, watched a 1-0 halftime lead disappear in the second half Friday night and fell 2-1 to Palm Harbor.

The Hurricanes, who also earned a one-goal victory over Durant earlier in the season, now look to next week's rematch with the Bulls, a team which has already beaten PHU once. "I'm disappointed but not discouraged," Durant coach Dick Sheffield said.

"I don't like giving up a one-goal lead with 15 minutes to play."

Palm Harbor (16-2-1), with a bull's-eye on its back since the Fox Student Sports Fab 50 poll ranked it the best team in the nation, played with unmatched fervor after the Cougars took a 1-0 lead.

Kristine Kelly handled the carom from Brigette Wightman's shot off the crossbar to give Durant the early advantage.

From that moment on, however, the Hurricanes changed their pace. They were quick to the ball and they were physical.

Four-year starter Devon Sibole was in the center of that offensive.

Sibole sent a centering pass to an unmarked Sarah McGonegal 18 yards from the box and the score was tied 1-1 in the 62nd minute. With less than two minutes to play, Sibole again came up with a huge assist.

This time Gabby Farkasfalvy took her pass from midfield, dribbled down the sideline and placed it under a sliding Jackie Hinton in goal.

"It was a beautiful ball," Farkasfalvy said of Sibole's second assist.

"It couldn't have been more perfect. We've been in a little slump lately. After halftime we picked our game up."

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • Tampa Bay Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright