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Hernando Today

Red Raiders Receive 'Royal' Treatment

Photo by JOE DiCRISTOFALO

Hernando High’s Hailey Royal’s (3), who eventually scored four goals, advances the play through South Sumter defenders Vanessa Ramos (16) and Daniela Reyna (13) Tuesday night at Tom Fisher Memorial Stadium.

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By TONY CASTRO SPORTS EDITOR

acastro@hernandotoday.com

Published: November 26, 2008

BROOKSVILLE - Though the calendar indicates that Christmas remains 3 1/2 weeks away, some early presents were delivered Wednesday night at Tom Fisher Memorial Stadium.
Hernando High sophomore striker Hailey Royal entered Wednesday night's non-conference, non-district match with one goal through six matches.
But in a magical first half, Royal buried four goals in pacing the Lady Leopards' 11th straight series win over visiting South Sumter, 5-1.
In the process, Royal just missed tying HHS' school record for most goals in one match -- Lindsey Copeland (5).
More importantly, for a Purple and Gold team that has been the poster child of inconsistency – six head coaches in six seasons – the Leopards (2-4-1) made it back-to-back solid matches.
Last Friday, HHS turned some heads by tying highly regarded Gulf, 1-all.
On Wednesday, the HHS defense continued to shine limiting the Red Raiders (1-6-1) to three shots on goal against goalkeepers Meghan Platt (1 save) and Brittany Lafayette (1 save). Only Thalia Vasquez's penalty kick at 14 minutes spoiled the Leopards' shutout bid.
Offensively, besides Royal's career-best efforts, sophomore Lindsey McElroy notched a goal and chipped in two assists. Genelle Burgen, Whitney Sims and Wendy Cuevas each added an assist.
Though there were no cards issued for either team, South Sumter's Daniela Reyna was taken to a local hospital with what was believed to be a severely sprained ankle and Vanessa Ramos helped off the field following a mid-air collision that resulted in a green knot above her right eye.
For the Leopards, Royal did not finish the match on the pitch after twisting her right knee.

Royal Rules

South Sumter Head Coach Steve Sylvester, who resides in Spring Hill, quickly pointed out the difference in the match.
"Their first three goals (all within the first nine minutes) killed us," commented Sylvester. "They were pushing us around and we never pushed back."
What was the biggest positive following the Red Raiders' third straight loss?
"We played a lot of kids," indicated Sylvester and they hung in there after the first barrage. I thought our keeper (freshman Lindsey Partridge with 14 saves) did a great job."
Junior Brittany Parker agreed that HHS' recent success began with its defensive posture.
"Defensively, we did good again," smiled the 16-year-old Parker. "We barely allowed any balls to go into the back."
What about Royal's efforts?
"After such a tough match with Gulf, I think we all thought we were gonna have an easy one tonight," said Parker. "But we had a lot of good passes that led to Hailey (Royal) doing a good job scoring."
"She jumpstarted our enthusiasm," added the 15-year-old McElroy. "It's way cold and I think everybody had Thanksgiving on their mind."
"It's always good to score early," chimed in the 15-year-old Royal, nursing her injured knee with an ice bag. "Early goals get you up and bring the other team down. I thought I had a decent game."
What about breaking Copeland's record?
"It would have been nice," replied Royal. "But that's not what matters. What matters is that we won."
HHS Head Coach Frederick "Rick" Ahrens sprinkled praise across the board.
"The biggest thing we take from this match was we answered some questions. We found a left defender in Parker. She did an outstanding job.
"And Cuevas needs a little tweaking but she's really coming along at center mid," added Ahrens, who guided HHS for nine years and who came up with a 57-107-19 won-lost-tied mark before this year. "And I was glad to get (Brittany) Lafayette some time in the nets."

Overall?

"There's been a lot of change here," summed up Ahrens. "But the kids are buying into what the coaches are selling. We were coming off our best match of the year against Gulf. I can't believe they beat Sprtingstead."
And Royal's near-record performance?
"Hailey (Royal) is the consummate team player," declared Ahrens. "She leads by example. I would not be surprised if she had a shot to beat the record one day and see her pass it up if she wanted to give the ball to another teammate. She's that unselfish."

Hernando 5, South Sumter 1
South Sumter 1 0 — 1
Hernando 4 1 — 5
Goals – SS: Vasquez; HER: Royal (4), McElroy.
Assists – HER: McElroy (2), Burgen, Sims, Cuevas.
Shots on goal – SS: 3; HER: 24.
Saves – SS: Partridge 14; HER: Platt 1, Lafayette 1.
Yellow Cards – none.
Blue Cards – none.
Red Cards – none.
Records: South Sumter (1-6-0 overall), Hernando (2-4-1 overall).

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

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