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By TONY CASTRO SPORTS EDITOR

Hernando Today

Published: December 29, 2008

Prep holiday tournaments are filled with landmines. Just ask Springstead's 16-year Head Coach Sal Calabrese.

Besides seeking stiffer competition, there are other headaches.

Health is a major concern.

Typically, teams at this point are not at 100 percent. Three matches in week dramatically reduce rosters. Anyone injured at soccer's midway point most likely will opt to sit out the holiday action to heal.

Next, it's the holidays themselves.

Many families revolve their vacations during the school's break. So some players are naturally unavailable. Let's face it, what comes first: family or the pitch?

Also, the area's finest players are already competing in the prestigious Sun Bowl Tournament in South Florida or the many satellite showcase events that spring up this time of year.

Against that backdrop, the Springstead Eagles are one of eight teams in Monday's three-day, eighth annual Ridgewood Ram Classic Winter Soccer Tournament at New Port Richey's Booster Stadium.

The field features: Clearwater High, Seffner-Armwood, Tampa-Alonso, St. Petersburg Catholic, Spring Hill-F.W. Springstead, Tampa-Newsome, Pompano Beach-Ely and host New Port Richey-Ridgewood.

Alonso is the main headliner.

Alonso finished 25-7-2 last winter reaching the Class 6A region finals before bowing out to Ocoee, 2-0.

Eagles: on a roll

Springstead hasn't particularly done well in previous Ridgewood Tournaments.

Its best finish was 2-1 good for third place 2002-03.

Over the past four visits, SHS is combined 4-7 won-lost slate.

Last winter, the Eagles went 0-3 including suffering an embarrassing opening-round 5-0 loss to (you guessed it!) Alonso.

The Eagles, however, are not the same team that finished with an uncharacteristic 7-12-7 mark last winter. 2007-08 was the school's first losing campaign in 11 years - a Hernando County record.

After six seniors departed, SHS has rebounded to a solid 9-3-2 won-lost-tied slate. Since losing to perennial power Dade City-Pasco, 4-2, on Dec. 3, SHS tied 4A-8 leader NPR-Gulf, 1-1, and then reeled off six consecutive triumphs.

The most impressive scalp arrived Dec. 17 against defending 4A-8 champion Hudson, 2-0. SHS proved it was no fluke the next night clipping up and coming Sunlake, 4-0.

No Wald

Junior striker Terry Wald, who moved back to Hernando County, just prior to the season, is the team's leading scorer with 10 goals and five assists for 25 points.

Unfortunately, Wald will not be available this week. He is out of state visiting family relatives.

Hopefully, filling the scoring void will be senior Stefan Philippeaux (7 goals), senior Joe Truncale, freshman Matt Campbell and sophomore Tyler Callaghan (4 goals each).

Goalkeeper Joey Lasala comes in with five shutouts including stunning back-to-back efforts against Hudson and Sunlake.

Junior sweeper Steve Sullivan - a two-time county weightlifting champ - is one of the area's best in the back.

SHS will open the tourney at 5 p.m. Monday against 5A-8's Newsome High. With a win, they'll play Tuesday at 5 p.m. With a first-round loss, they play at 1 p.m. on Tuesday.

"(Newsome) They'll be a good side," described Coach Calabrese, who is 178-119-38 lifetime pacing the Spring Hill club's sidelines. "I'm kinda happy to play Newsome; it'll be a good test. That's one of reasons we came here."

And the team?

"Terry (Wald) will be out of town," added Calabrese. "But we have some guys who can step up including Stefan (Philippeaux) and Nathan (Leathers). Nate has been bothered by a pulled groin but he should be 100 percent and ready to go."

What are the team's goals at Ridgewood?

"We need to stay injury free, card free and keep the momentum going," frankly replied Calabrese.

Tourney director and Ridgewood Head Coach Ed McComiskey pin pointed the purpose of the event.

"The main purpose is to keep the kids playing over the break, so they don't lose their edge and continue to get better for districts (at the end of January)," he said. "I'm glad Sal (Calabrese) is coming again. He's a great guy and class coach. Some of my guys play on his club team."

AT A GLANCE

WHO - Eight-teams field features: Clearwater High, Seffner-Armwood, Tampa-Alonso, St. Petersburg Catholic, Spring Hill-F.W. Springstead, Tampa-Newsome, Pompano Beach-Ely and New Port Richey-Ridgewood.

WHAT - 8th annual Ridgewood Ram Classic Winter Soccer Tournament.

WHERE - Booster Stadium at Ridgewood High.

WHEN - Dec. 29-31.

AT STAKE - Team championship at 7 p.m. on Dec. 31. Trophies for top three teams. Trophy for team sportsmanship and individual player who demonstrates best sportsmanship.

Sports Editor Tony Castro can be reached at 352-544-5278 or online at acastro@hernandotoday.com.

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