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By BRANT JAMES
© St. Petersburg Times, published January 13, 2001
SPRING HILL -- Springstead thought it was about the calls that weren't made, but it wasn't so much that. It was about the shots, assignments and, ultimately, opportunities the Eagles missed. In a physical and verbal battle with the feel of an FA Cup final, Hudson clinched the top seed in the Class 2A, District 8 tournament with a 3-1 win Friday.
"It was a little on the physical side," said Hudson coach Ron Ladimir, whose team improved to 13-5-1 overall and 9-1-1 in 2A-8. "That's typical. Neither team wants to give an inch."
Springstead did in height as Hudson's front line was markedly bigger and stronger. Hudson's Robert Pollock was a mayhem machine, a disruptive force barreling through and over Eagles. He was equally bullish a playmaker and scorer, setting up in the box 10 minutes into the second half and heading the winning goal past Dan Calabrese (five saves).
Springstead (7-4-2, 6-3-1) controlled the early action with several close-in chances -- including a Ricky Bennett miss on an open net within 5 yards. But Hudson scored first when the Eagles reacted poorly to a Cobras set-up.
Ben McCart took a pass from Billy Boyko in the left corner of the box and left-footed a shot into the far corner with 1:44 left in the first half.
"We had them marked up the first 34 minutes," Springstead coach Sal Calabrese said. "Then there's an outside mistake that costs us a goal. Then a mistake by the keeper costs us a goal there. Otherwise it's 1-1."
Bennett cut the lead to 2-1 with 15:07 left in the game after a throw-in, poking a loose ball past Robby Mahler (seven saves). Springstead could not mount more offense as rougher play was allowed to continue. Officials dispensed five yellow cards -- three to Hudson. Jarle Thy finished the Eagles in the final minutes with a 50-yard run through four defenders and 35-yard score over Calabrese.