Seven Rivers Christian set for challenge in District 2 tourney

© St. Petersburg Times,
published October 23, 2001

The Florida High School Activities Association didn't do Seven Rivers Christian any favors when it added Maitland Orangewood Christian to the Warriors' fall district this season.

"They're the two-time defending state champions," Seven Rivers coach Paul Kalfa said. " ... They play at a different level."

To win the District 2 tournament in Maitland this week, Kalfa's team most likely will need to defeat Orangewood Christian.

But first, the Warriors play Ormond Beach Calvary Christian in a quarterfinal at 5 p.m. today.

Seven Rivers (9-3-2 overall, 5-3-2 in District 2), the No. 3 seed, beat No. 6 seed Calvary Christian 9-0 and 5-2 during the regular season.

The Warriors enter the tournament with a four-game winning streak.

"We feel pretty good, but anything can happen," Kalfa said. "We have to be humble when we go in there.

"We've had our fair share of games where we've been dominated, so we know what it feels like. We know what kind of intensity comes out against teams that have dominated you and we need to be ready for that."

Seven Rivers has won back-to-back district titles. Both times, the Warriors beat Montverde Academy in the final.

If Seven Rivers wins today, it will play No. 2-seed Montverde in the semifinals Thursday. The teams split during the regular season as each won at home.

For Seven Rivers to succeed this week, it will need strong play from top players Beau Barry (forward), Stephen Blake (sweeper), Chris Roth (center forward) and David Schulker (keeper). Roth leads the team in scoring.

Blake is the Warriors' best defender and emotional leader.

"If we're patient and maintain our composure, if we stay true to what Warrior soccer is built upon than we'll be fine," Kalfa said.

"If we resort to individual play, we're going to be knocked out. We might have three potent games this week."

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