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By ROD GIPSON
© St. Petersburg Times, published December 21, 2000
TAMPA -- It wasn't exactly what Clearwater coach Bruce Toscani was looking for.
But despite a slow start, Clearwater had more than enough speed and firepower to outlast Zephyrhills 4-1 in the opening game of the Puma International.
Junior forward Steve Goodrow scored twice and the Tornadoes thwarted almost every Zephyrhills attack en route to the win at USF.
The Bulldogs (8-6-2), who face Berkeley Prep at 9 a.m. today at Sam Pasco Park, can blame missed opportunities for the loss, with one exchange highlighting their frustration.
Tied 1-1 25 minutes into the game, the Bulldogs sent a ball deep into the Clearwater zone. With top scorer John Briscoe leading the way, they ripped off four shots in a 30-second span but couldn't put any past Ryan Gregg.
"We just weren't finishing any balls," Zephyrhills coach Phil Castro said. "Clearwater is a quality team. They have more speed overall. And we made a couple of mistakes, and it hurt us."
Mistakes like when just before the end of the first half the Bulldogs allowed Goodrow to slip through and launch a shot from 10 yards out that went past Eric Cartwright to break the 1-1 tie.
"We were a little flat," Toscani said. "And we did get frustrated when they tied the game. But we managed to get some things done. I'm not sure we were ready to come out and play."
But Clearwater (9-2-1), a Class 3A region semifinalist a year ago, was ready in the second half.
It continually drove into the Bulldogs' side of the field and extended its lead in the 75th minute on a goal by Chris Humes. A sophomore midfielder, Humes twirled to block a Cartwright kick with his back, righted himself to collect the ball and slipped a shot past him to make it 3-1.
Clearwater's defense, meanwhile, limited Zephyrhills' offense, including Briscoe, whose 23rd goal of the year was the Bulldogs' only goal. Goodrow ended the scoring late with a shot from 15 yards out.