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By WAYNE GRUMET
© St. Petersburg Times, published December 21, 2000
ZEPHYRHILLS -- Zephyrhills sophomore Renee Yonkof found it helpful to keep moving Wednesday. The more she ran, the warmer she felt.
In the first half, Yonkof raced past the Mustangs for two unassisted goals in the Bulldogs' 5-0 rout of Mitchell.
"When I was running, I was like dying in my chest," Yonkof said. "It was hot all last week, and then it turns cold. I was dying."
In the seventh minute, Yonkof got control of the ball and fought through a pair of defenders. She then blasted the opening goal past Katie Taylor. In the 25th minute, Yonkof again fought through two defenders and beat Taylor.
"I was just cutting back and forth and hoping that it was going to make it into the goal," said Yonkof, who played defense in the second half. "It was just luck, I think."
Mitchell (3-9-1) was not as fortunate. Kate Slaughter sent a shot past Mary Fregoso in the 12th minute. The ball hit the far post and bounced into Fregoso's waiting arms.
The Mustangs also missed an early breakaway chance when Nicole Guercio sent her shot directly at Fregoso.
"Mistakes killed us. We gave up opportunities," Mitchell coach Steve Doyle said. "But you know what? The better team was Zephyrhills tonight." Zephyrhills (8-3-3) took advantage of Mitchell's second-string goalkeeper. Starter Brittney Nipper tore ligaments in her hand at practice last week. Nipper moved to midfield and Taylor stepped into the net.
Taylor made eight saves, but critical errors by her defense proved costly. Terra Rosensweig cleaned up a loose ball in front of Taylor in the 44th minute to push the lead to 3-0.
In the 75th minute, Joslynn Willis penetrated to the front of the net and set up an easy score for Allison Beasman. Beasman returned the favor three minutes later with a perfect outlet pass for a breakaway, and Willis easily beat Taylor.