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Hernando Today

Practice is Over

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By TONY CASTRO SPORTS EDITOR

Hernando Today

Published: January 25, 2009

Before Jan. 26, all the previous soccer matches this winter were practice. On Monday, the state playoffs reign in.
With that, all five Hernando County boys' soccer programs go into the week hoping to extend their seasons.
Looming, however, is a sense of finality. It's win or go home time.
Here's a look at each team.

Bears: snapping out of its doldrums

It's been seven winters, since 2008-09 Hernando County champion Central High (13-6-0) has reached a district final.
In John Andruss' final season, 2000-01, the 18-4-2 Bears won its lone district championship in 20 years at Leesburg, edging nemesis Springstead, 1-0.
Since that time, CHS has gone one and done four times in the playoffs, including the past two seasons under fourth-year Head Coach Hank Deslaurier.
In fact, CHS has gone one and done in four of the past five winters.
Deslaurier's team this year began the season en fuego capturing its initial eight matches and out-scoring teams, 39-3 in the process.
But things are different as the regular season closed.
First, the majority of CHS' matches were on the road during the second half. Secondly, the Bears limp into the Class 5A, District 7 playoffs with no vital momentum.
You can't have momentum dropping 3-of-4 and 4-of-6.
Sure, one of the county's leading scorers, sophomore striker Davey Vitola, has been out of town the past two matches. And CHS will open the playoffs without the county's fifth-highest scorer, senior Bobby Bock, who was red carded in the Jan. 20 2-1 loss at Lecanto.
T.J. Armstrong and Dylan Hall are expected to rotate in Bock's old position.
More importantly, in the five-team 5A-7 tourney, the No. 3 seed Bears tangle with long-time rival New Port Richey-River Ridge in the 8 p.m. Wednesday semifinal.
The winner automatically qualifies for regionals, the loser is sent packing.
CHS is 1-1 in playoffs against River Ridge under Deslaurier.
In 2005-06, CHS eliminated River Ridge at Land O' Lakes, 3-0. Last winter, the Royal Knights returned the favor at the Jim Valentine Sports Complex, 2-0.
What's the Bears' mindset going in?
"I think we're in good shape," explained the optimistic Deslaurier, who is 48-30 lifetime with the boys program. "Down the stretch we didn't go in trying to win matches at all costs. We were trying to keep healthy."
Deslaurier explained that when CHS lost senior sweeper, Curtis Weaver, on Dec. 3 due to a knee injury, he missed the next eight matches. The team's swoon corresponded with his absence.
Deslaurier noted that with Weaver on the pitch, the Bears bested River Ridge, 2-0, Without him, they lost the return match this winter, 1-0.
"Weaver makes a big difference in the back," added Deslaurier. "With him in there it changes our lineup and moves Nick (Hernandez) where he should be up top."
What will be the key?
"If we line up 100 times against River Ridge, I'd say the teams would split 50/50," said Deslaurier. "There's not much difference. Bottom line, we've got to bring our "A' game. We did our job during the regular season. It's time to do it in the playoffs."
Deslaurier was asked should either team survive Wednesday's match, can either knock off top seeded and defending district champion Land O' Lakes?
"They are the odds on favorite," declared Deslaurier. "They're senior-dominated and battle tested, but a number of little things can change that dynamic. In playoff soccer, anything can and will happen."
CHS is led by the county's top two scorers, sophomore Omar Odulaja (20 goals, 6 assists, 46 points) and Vitola (16 goals, 13 assists, 45 points).

Lions: can they reverse their fortunes?

Isn't life funny?
Last winter, Hernando Christian Academy finished with a respectable 9-6-4 won-lost-tied slate.
HCA defeated 2A-9 rival Land O'Lakes-Academy at the Lakes three times (3-0, 5-2, 6-1) en route to a semifinal berth at Bishop McLaughlin against (you guessed it!) — Academy at the Lakes.
The No. 2 seed Lions, however, folded like cheap suit. HCA lost via penalty kicks, 2-1.
That loss has had some carryover.
This winter, the Pasco County-based Wildcats tied HCA 0-0, won 1-0 (at the Cambridge Tournament) and tied 1-1.
Fortunately, at Tuesday's 2A-9 semifinal at 5 p.m. again at Bishop McLaughlin there can be no ties.
So, can the Lions finally solve the AATL hex?
"The key for us all season is finding the back of the net," summed up HCA's fourth-year Head Coach Matt Carrao. "Unfortunately, for us we're going up against probably the best sweeper in the district and his brother is the keeper. It's a great 1-2 punch in the back. If we can keep them to a goal or less, we'll have a chance."
What's plagued the Lions (5-7-4 overall)?
"We're not real deep, neither is anybody in this district except Bishop McLaughlin," said Carrao. "So health is a major concern with only 12 players available."
HCA will be without Brandon Bilsborough (broken leg) and Jackie Butler (pinched nerve in her back).
What will it take to advance to regionals?
"We've had opportunities to score, now we've got to finish some shots," said Carrao. "And that all starts with better possession."
The Lions are paced by senior striker Jeff Basciano (16 goals, 6 assists, 38 points).

Eagles: daunting task ahead

Last winter marked the first time in 10 years, a Springstead High boys soccer team went one and done.
Yet, the county's most storied program faces upstart and No. 5 seed Land O' Lakes-Sunlake in the opening quarterfinal round of the Class 4A, District 8 Tournament at 8 p.m. Tuesday at Booster Stadium in Spring Hill.
The fourth seeded Eagles (14-6-2) enter the playoffs on a high, stiff arming its last three opponents a combined 16-0 count.
Yet, for the Eagles to advance to Friday's championship round they'll have not only get past Sunlake, who they tied 2-2 and beat 4-0, but then solve always-tough Dade City-Pasco.
The Pirates, who bested SHS in the district finals in 2006 and 2007, defeated the Eagles this winter, 4-3 and 3-0.
Can the Eagles pull off the colossal upset and reach the 4A-8 finals?
"It took us a while to find our starting 11," explained the 16th-year Head Coach Sal Calabrese. "My job is to put 'em all together.
"Since last year, we've improved our fitness and knock on wood, we've remained relatively healthy all season — those are big keys," he said. "From here on out, the key is closing matches out. Last week, we were beating Gulf 2-0, but couldn't close them out and they ended up winning, 3-2. That's exactly what I'm talking about."
What about Sunlake?
"Give them credit, they are a team, regardless of the score they never give up," said Calabrese. "I'm anticipating a great match."
Are the top two seeds, Pasco and Gulf, locks to meet on Friday?
"I've talked to some of the other coaches," said Calabrese. "To me, any of the top six teams coming here could win this."

Shark: major test vs. Bucs

Nature Coast Technical tied its school-record in most wins (5) this winter.
They'll enter the 4A-8 playoffs as the No. 7 seed facing No. 2 seed Gulf at 8 p.m. Monday night at Springstead.
The Sharks have gone one and done in three of its initial five postseason tournaments.
Additionally, NCT dropped two of its past three matches to conclude the year.
Gulf also solved NCT twice, 3-1 and 4-1, this winter.
The Sharks are led by junior David MacLean and senior Matt Curtis, who have each scored 19 points.

HHS: ending the streak

Hernando High enters as the No. 9 seed in the nine-team field. The Leopards (0-22-0) will face No. 8 seed Zephyrhills at 6 p.m. on Monday at Booster Stadium.
With a win, they'll clash with No. 1 seed Pasco at 4 p.m. on Wednesday.
The Purple and Gold hold a dubious distinction coming into districts. They currently hold the county record of 12 straight one and done playoff performances.
Fortunately for the Leopards, they match up well with the Bulldogs, who they lost to twice by the same score (3-2).
"We've gotta want to win," explained second-year HHS Head Coach Kevin Knox, of his team's chances Monday night. "If we're focused we could shake things up. I've told the kids, practice games are over. We have just as good a chance to win as anybody else.
"We've improved playing together as a team," he added. "Now, the big issue is finishing shots and closing out a match. We've learned the hard way. Soccer is a team sport. It's not about 1-2 players having talent, it's the entire team playing as one.
"I look around and see a team like Springstead," added Knox. "They are not the most skilled kids. But entering districts, to me they're the best team in the field. That's what it takes."

AT A GLANCE

WHAT - Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Class 4A, District 8 Boys Soccer Tournament.
WHO - Nine-team field features a single elimination format including: defending champion Hudson, runner-up Dade City-Pasco, Spring Hill-Springstead, Brooksville-Nature Coast Technical, Brooksville-Hernando, New Port Richey-Gulf, Zephyrhills, Wesley Chapel-Wiregrass Ranch and Land O' Lakes-Sunlake.
WHERE - Booster Stadium at F.W. Springstead High.
WHEN - Monday, Jan. 26, through Friday, Jan. 30.
AT STAKE - Top two teams advance to Thursday, Feb. 5's Class 4A, Region II quarterfinals playoffs.

WHAT - Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Class 5A, District 7 Boys Soccer Tournament.
WHO - Five-team field features a single elimination format including: defending champion Land O'Lakes, runner-up New Port Richey-River Ridge, NPR-Ridgewood, Wesley Chapel and Brooksville-Central.
WHERE - Bears' Den at Central High.
WHEN - Tuesday, Jan. 27, through Friday, Jan. 30.
AT STAKE - Top two teams advance to Thursday, Feb. 5's Class 5A, Region II quarterfinal playoffs.

WHAT - Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Class 2A, District 9 Boys Soccer Tournament.
WHO - Four-team field features a single elimination format including: defending champion Shady Hills-Bishop McLaughlin, runner-up Land O' Lakes-Academy at the Lakes, Tampa-Carrollwood Day School and Brooksville-Hernando Christian Academy.
WHERE - at Bishop McLaughlin.
WHEN - Tuesday, Jan. 27, through Friday, Jan. 30.
AT STAKE - Top two teams advance to Thursday, Feb. 5's Class 2A, Region III quarterfinal playoffs.

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

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