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By ALEX LYNCH
© St. Petersburg Times, published December 23, 2000
SEMINOLE -- Powered behind five second-half goals and a 22-6 shot advantage, Clearwater Central Catholic defeated Osceola 6-1 Friday in the title game of the Osceola Lady Warrior Holiday Tournament.
The difference might have been the one substitute the Marauders (12-1) had. Osceola (8-8) showed up with 11 players. Both teams have had troubles with injuries and also were missing players due to vacations.
They relied on several junior varsity players. "Just getting out for a drink of water can be a big psychological advantage." CCC coach Tom Typrowicz said.
In the second half, the Marauders used their speed to take advantage of a tired Warrior team and break open a tie game. Apryl Wall and Lisa Maruska (called up from the junior varsity) consistently beat defenders down the sidelines, setting up scoring opportunities. In the first half, Carly Goldich led Maruska down the sideline. Maruska centered the ball, and Wall, all alone in front of the net, easily placed the ball to the right of Osceola goalie Amanda Schmidt.
The lone bright spot for the Warriors was tournament MVP Michelle Mione, who had seven goals and five assists. She scored the Warriors' only goal Friday in the first half off of a long throw-in from Kim Conaway.
Two minutes into the second half, CCC started the onslaught. Maruska earned her second assist when she passed to an open Sarah Sheehan, who booted it in. Liz Simmons made it 3-1 when she knocked in a rebound after a Jessica Hallgren shot.
Wall, Ashley Posusta and Hallgren finished off the scoring. "I am real proud of the younger girls who came up and played really well against the Warriors' upperclassmen." Typrowicz said.