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Hernando Today

No Belly Flop

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By TONY CASTRO SPORTS EDITOR

Hernando Today

Published: January 16, 2008

BROOKSVILLE – The Springstead High coaching staff was apprehensive prior to the start of Tuesday night's Class 4A, District 8 quarterfinal match against No. 7 seeded-Wesley Chapel-Wiregrass Ranch at Nature Coast Technical's Shark Tank Stadium.
And why not?
Despite the Lady Bulls' 4-15-2 won-lost-tied slate coming in, Wiregrass utilized a stingy defense to hold the defending district champions scoreless in the first half each of their two regular season meetings.
Sure, SHS eventually wore down the Bulls, winning 2-0 and 3-0. But could they do it again?
That's why third-year Springstead Head Coach Polo Furlong wasn't sure how his No. 2 seeded Eagles would come out. Would they take the Lady Bulls too lightly?
The response came early – and often.
Springstead (16-2-4 overall) came out firing, out shooting the Bulls by over a 10-to-1 ratio (31-3 overall) finding the back of the net twice in the game's first six minutes to oust Wiregrass, 5-1.
The win advances the defending district champions into Thursday night's 5:30 p.m. semifinal against the winner of Wednesday night's quarterfinal between No. 6 seed Nature Coast technical and No. 3 New Port Richey-Gulf.
Second-year Bulls' skipper Amanda Devona thought the key to the match came early.
"I don't think we were ready mentally," explained Devona, whose team improved on its 1-21-2 slate from a year ago. "We played the worst 15 minutes of the match in the beginning. After that we settled down.
"Usually for us the first 15 and last 10 have hurt us," she added. "A lot of that comes with age and experience."
Biggest factor?
"We're still developing our skills and Springstead out skilled us physically and mentally," responded Devona. "We're still a growing program. This wasn't the best game we've played, nor was it our worst. These kids have gotten better; I'm already looking forward to next year."
From the home sideline, Furlong agreed with Devona about how the beginning of the match was critical.
"I think we were ready to play," he described. "Wiregrass is a good team. They made a couple early mistakes. The two early goals gave our girls some momentum. We're not gonna talk about this team or that team, it's one down two to go."

McKinney power

Springstead wasted little time denting the scoreboard.
Ashley Walker's lefty-footed corner kick was misplayed by Wiregrass sophomore goalkeeper Kelsey Brown. She grazed the ball, but did not grab it.
Instead, the ball ended up at the feet of Springstead's leading scorer, senior striker Taylor McKinney.
McKinney, who came in with 15 goals, rammed home a 6-yard shot past Brown, 1-0.
Three minutes later, Brown again deflected a Springstead shot but the rebound went directly to Walker, who zipped it into the back of the net. Walker's 12th goal of the season upped the ante, 2-0.
At 24:00 minutes, senior defender Brittany Duke threaded a cross to sophomore Cristina Passafaro, who notched her 11th goal of the season, 3-0.
Wiregrass finally countered with a shot attempt at 28 minutes.
On the play, two Springstead defenders left freshman forward Kelsey Sturman unmarked. Sturman gobbled up teammate Kayla Robinson's feed and ripped an 11-yard shot past Eagle senior goalkeeper Jennifer DeFrancesco.
Sturman's goal spoiled DeFrancesco's attempt at her school-record 16th shutout of the season.
Following that goal, the SHS defense pinched the passing lanes permitting but two more shot attempts.
In the second half, SHS padded the lead on an unusual goal.
Freshman Brittany Delgado's cross in front of the goal mouth found McKinney, who normally heads the ball into the net. Instead, the ball ricocheted off McKinney's stomach – and rolled in, 4-1.
With four minutes remaining the Eagles were awarded a penalty kick and Duke buried the shot into the lower left corner.
"We were in it to win," smiled the freckle-faced 17-year-old McKinney. "Everybody was upbeat coming in. It was important to get to fast start."
What about the belly goal?
"No more headers," she laughed. "I'm just changing up."
Duke's first-ever PK and her second-ever goal of the season closed the books, 5-1.
"I thought we came out prepared," admitted the 18-year-old Brittany Duke. "For the seniors this is our last district tournament. No way did want to go one and done."
And the PK?
"It was sweet," shared Duke. "I'm so glad we practiced them."
The final could have been more lopsided except for the outstanding net tending by Brown, who gobbled up 18 saves.
Freshman defender Kaitlyn Duke thought the key was confidence.
"We started off slowly," said the younger Duke. "The early scores boosted our confidence."

Springstead 5, Wiregrass Ranch 1
Wiregrass 0 1 -- 1
Springstead 3 2 -- 5
Goals – WGR: Sturman; SPG: McKinney (2), Walker, Passafaro, Brittany Duke.
Assists – WGR: Robinson; SPG: Walker, B. Duke, Delgado.
Shots on goal – WGR: 3; SPG: 31.
Saves – WGR: Brown 18; SPG: DeFrancesco 1.
Yellow Cards – none.
Blue Cards – none.
Red Cards – none.
Records: Wiregrass Ranch (4-16-2 overall), Springstead (16-2-4 overall).

Class 4A-8 Tourney Recap:
01-14:
Hernando 5, Sunlake 1

01-15:
Springstead 5, Wiregrass 1
Hudson 8, Hernando 0

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

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