LAND O'LAKES -- If there was any doubt in recent weeks, if one team's stumbling start and another's prolific scoring had called into question Land O'Lakes' status as Pasco County's team to beat, the Gators ended that argument Monday night.

On its home field, Land O'Lakes put a promising Gulf team in its place, overcoming an early deficit and dominating the Buccaneers with a 3-1 victory that moved the Gators into first place in the Class 2A, District 8 standings.

"After a win like tonight, I think we can play with absolutely anybody in the county.

"And if we continue to play like we're capable of playing, there's no reason we should get beat," said coach Mark Pearson, whose team improved to 5-3-1, 5-1-1 in district.

Eric Martin scored two goals -- one gorgeous, one soft -- in leading the Gators back from a 1-0 deficit that lasted most of the first half.

A handball in the opening two minutes gave Alex Maric his county-leading 19th goal on a penalty kick, and the Gulf lead held until the closing minutes of the first half.

Martin took a ball deep in Gulf territory, weaving perilously along the goal line and flicked a cross that curled in the far corner for the tying goal.

"That demoralized us. It killed us," said Gulf coach Sam Koleduk.

"They dominated the second half. I think we got down on ourselves. We didn't generate much offense in the second half."

The Gators defense, with Keith Strand expertly marking Maric, held the Buccaneers (7-3-1, 3-2-1) to two second-half shots while the offense put the game away.

John-Paul Rodrigues ripped a shot from wide left and 20 yards out that found the corner of the net to put Land O'Lakes ahead eight minutes into the half.

Martin added another goal when his free kick from 35 yards out bounced through the hands and over the head of goalkeeper Brandon King for the final 3-1 margin.

"We just had to come out and prove that we're the best in the district," said Martin, who now has a team-best eight goals.

"For them to be the best team in the district, they're going to have to beat us. When they couldn't beat us, they got frustrated, got out of their game and we just dominated the whole second half."

That's not to say there wasn't any frustration to be found on the Land O'Lakes bench -- the hardest kick of the night might have been when Pearson booted a trash can on the sidelines with his team ahead by two goals in the closing minutes.

Even in victory, the coach said his team can play better.

"It's frustrating when you repeat yourself over and over," Pearson said. "You get tired of saying the same things. I must have told them a 1,000 times not to foul.

Anyway, they came out in the second half and played, just controlled the rest of the game."

Gulf travels to face Wesley Chapel on Wednesday, while Land O'Lakes returns to action the same night with a non-district match at Mitchell.

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