TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Hernando Today

Better Late Than Never

ADVERTISEMENT

By TONY CASTRO SPORTS EDITOR

Hernando Today

Published: January 16, 2008

BROOKSVILLE – If there was any silver lining to Hernando High's problematic 4-16-2 season, it's been its play during the stellar final week.
Up to a week ago, the Purple and Gold's 15th season was nothing to write home -- excuse me -- blog about.
After 19 matches, HHS stood 2-16-1 and was expected to face highly touted Lecanto on Jan. 7.
It'd been out scored by 84 goals, or 96-12 overall. The first meeting between the schools in Citrus County was typical of the season, an 8-0 Panther win.
Last Monday's second meeting probably would have fared the same.
But in a scheduling snafu, the teams never clashed. There was no game played.
Instead of HHS dropping its 13th match in its past 14 matches, the Lady Leopards snapped their funk by blanking host Bushnell-South Sumter last Wednesday night, 1-0.
Then HHS hosted archrival Central on Friday. This was the same Lady Bears' team that snapped Springstead High's school-record 16-match non-losing streak earlier in the week, 1-0.
But HHS earned a moral win behind a scoreless draw.
On Monday, the momentum from its past two matches carried over to Nature Coast Technical's cool Shark Tank Stadium.
Eighth seed Hernando rode the strength of freshman defender-turned-forward Lindsey McElroy's four goals and one assist to oust ninth-seeded and winless Land O'Lakes-Sunlake, 5-1.
The loss closed the books on the Seahawks' initial varsity campaign at 0-22-1 overall.
All told, first-year Head Coach Chris Leko's squad was blanked 19 times and was out scored by 147 goals, 150-3 overall.
The Seahawks, however, did manage to hang with Hernando. They lost in Land O'Lakes (4-1) and tied in Brooksville (1-1). Both solo goals were notched by junior Holly Gerken.
"This was the third time we played them," explained Leko, a former HHS boys' soccer team assistant coach last season, "And we played them a little better. But considering we hadn't played a match in almost a month (Dec. 19's 8-0 loss to NCT), we played right with them."
What impressed you the most?
"Hernando kept their heads this time," replied Leko. "They played good soccer and had great breakaways. They were 10 times better than they were at the beginning of the season."
From the winning side of the pitch, Riddle wasn't doing cartwheels afterward but was elated for the effort.
"Our goal all along was to play our best soccer at the end of the season," he shared in his British accent. "This (winning in districts) is what we were aiming for. I thought our best game of the year was Friday night against Central. I think we had some carryover from that match. We didn't want to make that result a fluke."
Biggest positives?
"Tonight we played everyone," he replied. "We used the whole team, that's great. We didn't do that Friday. And Lindsey? We made some adjustments and brought her up top. That's the best game she's ever had for us. She's our most exciting player. Hopefully, you'll see a lot more of those skills in the future."
With Monday night's win, HHS climbed to 4-16-2 overall and advanced to face No. 1 seed Hudson Tuesday night at NCT.
Hudson had previously handed HHS two of its 15 shutouts this season (8-0, 5-0).

Tactical move pays off

Due to competing in the state's largest Class 4A district (4A-8), Hernando came in realizing it had to win or go home.
With that, Coach Riddle made one critical switch early in the first half.
He switched his speediest defender, McElroy, from back to front. McElroy, who came in with one goal and one assist, wasn't considered a threat.
But that move paid huge dividends.
At 19:40, Hernando senior Ashley Germain threaded a pass to McElroy, who buried the first of her four goals, 1-0.
The freshman, who was a Hernando Today All-County Middle School all-star selection in tennis last spring, was just getting started.
At 36:00, freshman Hailey Royal delivered the first of her two assists on the night leading to McElroy's second goal, 2-0.
"We can still play better," commented the 14-year-old Royal. "She (McElroy) was really good tonight, she's real fast. I'm happy that we get to play again."
Four minutes into the second half, the same duo combined as McElroy drilled a 7-yard shot past Sunlake goalkeeper Jessica Lemon (6 saves), 3-0.
Twelve minutes later, Sunlake missed a golden opportunity to score after Megan Gottschall was tackled just outside the scoring box.
Junior Diana Hildreth struck a free kick that HHS goalkeeper Megan Platt (3 saves) denied.
That save quickly loomed large.
At 61:00, HHS tackled yet another Sunlake player this time in the scoring box leading to a penalty kick.
This time, sophomore Chelsey Tejas buried the ensuing penalty kick bouncing just inside the top of the post. So instead of the being 3-2, the deficit was, 3-1.
HHS, however, quickly counterattacked.
McElroy turned playmaker and dished off to junior Hannah Spencer, who scored her first goal of the season, 4-1.
Five minutes passed before Lemon stoned a point-blank shot, but the rebound caromed right to McElroy, who tucked in the shot just inside the far post to close the scoring, 5-1.
Just what was the difference for the Purple and Gold?
"We had more confidence going in," replied the 14-year-old McElroy. "We wanted to make sure we did not come into this game too cocky. I'm extremely happy we won. We needed this. We deserved something after all the hard work we put in."

Hernando 5, Sunlake 1
Sunlake 0 1 -- 1
Hernando 2 3 -- 5
Goals – SNL: Tejas; HER: McElroy (4), Spencer.
Assists – SNL: none; HER: Royal (2), McElroy, Germain.
Shots on goal – SNL: 5; HER: 13.
Saves – SNL: Lemon 6 ; HER: Platt 3.
Yellow Cards – SNL: Coach Leko (equipment violation).
Blue Cards – none.
Red Cards – none.
Records: Sunlake (0-22-1 overall), Hernando (4-16-2 overall).

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

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT