Duo stands out on dominant Jesuit team

The Tigers striker and goalkeeper perfectly complement each other in practice and in games.

By TERRY JONES

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 20, 2000

TAMPA -- With a 30-1 record and a No. 2 ranking in USA Today, Jesuit High School's soccer team is a favorite to capture a fourth consecutive state Class 2A title.

On such a dominating team, where even the substitutes have high-caliber talent, a couple of Carrollwood-area players play key roles.

Juniors Bryce Wegerle of Carrollwood and Justin Trowbridge of Northdale have been friends since elementary school. They play at opposite ends of the pitch for the Tigers and for competing club teams when the high school season is over.

Trowbridge is the Tigers goalkeeper, with a stunning .52 goals against average, the best in Hillsborough County and possibly in the state.

He has shut out 20 teams this season, including some nationally ranked out-of-state opponents.

At striker, Wegerle's value goes beyond his skill in scoring goals, because he makes two and sometimes three assists each game.

Jesuit coach Bob Bauman said Wegerle is a constant threat and often draws two and sometimes three people to guard him, which frees up teammates to score.

"He adds a new dimension to striker, because he can strike so quickly," Bauman said. "He is so controlled he can turn and accurately distribute to open teammates with three defenders on him."

Bauman said Wegerle is also deadly with free kicks, scoring on 70 to 80 percent of free kicks within 20 to 30 feet.

Wegerle and Trowbridge often work against each other in one-on-one drills.

"Stopping Bryce on a breakaway is almost impossible, but the more I train at it the better I get," Trowbridge said. "I don't normally have to make many saves in a game, because our defensive players are so keen. They actually make me look good."

Wegerle, son of former pro soccer player Steve Wegerle, was kicking a soccer ball as soon as he could walk and started playing competitively at age 6. He now is a member of the Blackwatch Lightning team, formerly Carrollwood Lightning, which has won three state championships, two on the national level, and placed fourth in two world championships.

He would like to bypass college and play professionally in Europe. If that doesn't work out, he and his family and coach will select a college sometime next year.

Even though Trowbridge cannot talk to college coaches until after this season, he is already getting letters of interest. But now he's focused on winning another state championship for the Tigers.

"Justin has amazing eye-to-hand and eye-to-foot skills," Bauman said. "I have seen him come out of nowhere to make saves that to me seem impossible. Opponents will be glad when he graduates."

Trowbridge was a successful baseball player before deciding to concentrate on goalkeeping. After the high school season, he plays for the Tampa Bay Strikers.

"I played shortstop in baseball and that training made a tremendous contribution to my keeper skills," Trowbridge said. "I try to improve every day. Jesuit has talented players on the field and on the bench. Some of the backups could be making names for themselves at other schools, but they wouldn't have the team strength we have here. I am proud to be part of this team."

Trowbridge and Wegerle are joined at Jesuit by several other area residents, including John Kluft, George Duraishi, Scott Golden, Justin Versaggi and Justin Elliott.

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