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Word Of Mouth Pays Off

Photo by JOE DiCRISTOFALO

From left to right Springstead defenders, Kaitlyn Duke, Paige Alexsuk, Jackie Holtje and Ashley Southall, appropriately support goalkeeper Jennifer DeFrancesco after she set the school record for shutouts last winter. DeFrancesco is now net tending at collegiate level for Weber International University.

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By MARTY MILLER

Hernando Today correspondent

Published: August 27, 2008

Fortunately for former F.W. Springstead goalkeeper Jennifer DeFrancesco, it just so happens that the women's soccer coach at St. Leo University and her counterpart at Webber International University at Babson Park, happen to be good friends.

It was because of that friendship that DeFrancesco, a two-year starter for the Lady Eagles, wound up playing this year for Webber.

"We had a team meeting with the St. Leo coach (Ged O'Connor) and although I guess they weren't interested in me, that coach knew the coach at Webber (Jami Hagy) and called her to tell her about me. So I ended up here," recalled the 2008 Springstead graduate.

DeFrancesco, who recorded 16 shutouts for the 17-4-4 Eagles under Head Coach Polo Furlong, begins her college career this year at the NAIA school located north of Sebring as one of two goalies on the roster.

"So far we've just worked on individual skills, so I don't really know where I stand on the depth chart now," said DeFrancesco. "Coach Hagy doesn't really go into who's starting this early."

Webber, who is a member of the Florida Sun Conference, finished last year at 2-11-1, wound up with the ex-Springstead goalie by accident.

"Springstead had a meeting at St. Leo and I guess their coach wasn't looking at me. But I guess him and the Webber coach are good friends, so he contacted her about me. It just came full circle," DeFrancesco said.

With the start of the season close at hand, DeFrancesco said that while she hasn't seen any game or scrimmage action yet for the school, she does know things will be increasingly tougher than at the prep level.

"Its hard work and I'm sure playing college goalie will be harder than it was in high school," described DeFrancesco, who permitted 18 goals in 15 matches this pas winter for the 4A-8 runners-up. "In high school, you didn't face the type of players that you do in college because the strikers here are much better."

DeFrancesco says she wants to major in sports marketing while in college and has a solid idea of what she wants to do after graduating.

"I was planning on opening a sports clinic just for athletes," she said. "I want it to be a place where athletes won't have to wait for a certain doctor if they need a surgery done right away. I want to have all kind of specialists who would just treat athletes."

A short drive

The Springstead grad also said that after graduating from high school, she was looking for a college that was close to home.

"I just wasn't looking to go a long way from home," DeFrancesco pointed out. "I was more interested in what type of classes and majors they had. It's nice to be able to go home quickly, but I'm also in a place I'm happy with."

One problem DeFrancesco knows she has to address is her match fitness.

"When you look at me at first glance, the word soccer player doesn't jump out at you," she said.

But DeFrancesco seems to make up for that with her goaltending ability as last year for Springstead she had a school record 16 shutouts and a goals against average of just over one goal a game.

"I really like it here," she said just after practice started for the soccer club. "The upperclassmen have been really good to us. And since I'm so close to home, my parents will be able to get down here and see me play."

By the Numbers: SHS's Jennifer DeFrancesco Shutouts in 2007-08
- Compiled by TONY CASTRO

Date Opponent Site Result
10-29 Crystal River Away W 1-0
11-05 Gulf# Home W 3-0
11-09 Wiregrass Ranch# Away W 3-0
11-15 Hudson# Away T 0-0
11-19 Sunlake# Away W 8-0
11-28 Pasco# Home W 1-0
12-05 Wiregrass Ranch# Home W 2-0
12-07 Hernando*# Home W 4-0
12-10 Nature Coast*# Away T 0-0
12-12 Hudson# Home T 0-0
12-14 Sunlake# Home W 8-0
12-17 Central* Home W 3-0
12-20 Pasco# Away W 2-0
01-04 Citrus Home W 1-0
01-11 Crystal River Home W 4-0
01-17 Gulf+ Away W 1-0 (2 OTs)

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