Eagles snap eight-year regional drought

While Mitt Romney’s primary win in the Sunshine State smothered the air waves, F.W. Springstead’s soccer team was also making news.

The Eagles, who trailed 1-0 after 22 minutes to Orange Park-Ridgeview, tallied the match’s last three goals – two by Matt Campbell, another by Michael Szafranski – to eliminate the Flagler County-based Panthers, 3-1.

Tuesday night’s Class 4A, Region I quarterfinal final victory – Springstead’s ninth straight win – pushes the Eagles (19-2) into a 150-mile commute on Friday to play at highly touted Fleming Island.

The win at Booster Stadium was the Spring Hill team’s first regional triumph since 2004’s regional semifinal at home against Tampa-Freedom, 4-0.

In its ninth straight regional quarterfinal, Fleming Island routed 4A-4 runner-up Lecanto, 7-0. Fleming Island enters Friday’s regional semifinal at 21-1.

Before being declassified to 4A this winter, Fleming Island had reached the Class 5A Final Four twice (2008 and 2011).

Panthers: Missing top gun

Though the Ridgeview Panthers were making their first regional appearance in four years, they mostly played without their top gun – sophomore striker Ricky Prestridge, who came in with 26 goals.

According to third-year skipper Paul Tomaro, the Panthers (11-5-3) were not making excuses even though Prestridge barely saw the pitch after suffering a groin injury last week.

Prestridge had missed Friday’s 4A-3 title game against Fleming Island – a 6-0 loss.

At 22:00, Ridgeview drew first blood as sophomore Cody Edlenbos’ cross led to Mike Williams' chip-shot goal

SHS countered with the equalizer three minutes later as senior Justin Ladouceur’s sixth assist of the season led to Szafranski’s 12th goal of the season.

Eight minutes later, the game’s complexion swayed on a patented Eagle set piece. Senior Harry Prentice’s corner kick was headed into the back of the nets by Campbell, 2-1.

Prentice’s 10th assist of the season led to the first of two goals by Campbell, Hernando County’s leading scorer.

Just under eight minutes into the second half, an Eagle shot was stoned by Panther senior goalkeeper Lochlin Cravey. But fortunately for the Springstead fans, the rebound went right to an unmarked Campbell, who easily tucked in his second goal of the game and 28th of the season, 3-1.

After the Panthers’ initial goal, RHS was handcuffed to four shots on goal as Eagle keeper Jordan Leathers finished with four saves.

One of the Eagles’ stout defenders, senior Spyros Kouraras, said there was a dark moment early in the match.

“When we were down 1-0, there was some panic,” said the 17-year-old native of Greece. “But we have such good players on this team. I’d never thought I’d play with this many good players when I came to America.

“This was a big win,” added Kouraras. “It feels pretty good to come back and win. It’s all about the teamwork.”

For his part, Prentice praised Campbell for another stellar effort.

“I’ve played with Matt for years,” said the 17-year-old Prentice. “He’s the perfect center-mid. He does so many things.

“Even when we were down 1-0, we realized our mistake and we weren’t going to make it again,” he said. “We’ve allowed less than a goal a game all year. That comes from playing together and playing as one. On Friday, we’ve got to bring our ‘A’ game.”

Tuesday’s win, according to Campbell, “was huge.”

“I can tell the team was anxious before the match – it was so quiet,” recalled the 17-year-old Campbell. “But we did the same thing we’ve done all season – we pulled together. It’s been a phenomenal season.

“I thought Szafranski’s goal was a great finish and it got us going,” recalled Campbell. “Coach Sal always tells us after you score a goal, that’s when you are the most vulnerable. That’s why it was so important to keep pressing the attack.”

Friday’s semifinal boils down to a couple factors, predicted Campbell.

“It’s all about intensity,” he said. “And how much pressure can we put on the ball? We have to play like we have all season.”

Coaches’ corner

Afterward, Coach Tomaro believed his team could have utilized a healthy Prestridge.

“He (Prestridge) tried to go and he couldn’t,” recalled Coach Tomaro. “That’s a big piece of our attack. But give credit to Springstead they play a very smart brand of ball. They match up real well to the big, physical style Fleming Island plays. I’d love to watch that match.”

Tomaro thought the game’s difference was the play above the turf.

“I was fortunate to see Springstead play last week,” admitted Coach Tomaro. “I kind of knew what to expect (tonight). They’re very good in the air. We’ve had problems with that this year. It’s like they won every 50/50 ball in the air.

“When we scored, we got exactly what we wanted,” he said. “We wanted the early momentum. I’m not going to call their goals fluky, but when you make mistakes against high-caliber teams, you’re going to pay.”

The difference-maker according to Coach Tomaro was Campbell.

“No. 2 (Campbell) is pretty tough in the middle,” described Tomaro. “He won everything and puts pressure on the ball.

“I’m very proud of our kids’ efforts,” said Tomaro. “I thought our kids gave 200 percent. It’s hard to find fault in their effort tonight.”

From the home sideline, veteran Eagle mentor Sal Calabrese was pleased with his team’s overall efforts.

“All season long we have possessed the ball well. Our work rate was good tonight and so was our intensity,” said Calabrese. “Our corner-kick goal was superb. Matt was open the first time we tried it and he just missed. Credit belongs to Justin (Ladouceur) – that was a quality service and finish. That’s a play we worked on all week in practice.”

Calabrese talked about what SHS needs to do Friday to reach the regional finals for the first time in eight years.

“We’re going in blind,” lamented Coach Calabrese, who improved to 228-133-42 lifetime. “We don’t know much about our opponent. We do know they’re a quality side. You don’t win 20 games by being horrible. Hopefully, we can apply some pressure and see if the stars are properly aligned for us on Friday.”

Springstead 3, Orange Park-Ridgeview 1
RDV  1 0--1
SPG   2 1--3
Goals – Williams (RDV); Matt Campbell (2), Michael Szafranski (SPG).
Assists – Edlenbos (RDV); Ladouceur, Prentice (SPG).
Shots on goal: RDV 6; SPG 14.
Saves – RDV: Cravey (9); SPG: Leathers (4).
Yellow Cards – none.
Blue Cards – none.
Red Cards – none.
Records – Ridgeview (11-5-3), Springstead (19-2-0).