Springstead keeps rolling despite injuries

SPRING HILL - A close win over a second-year program with two wins doesn't seem terribly impressive for a defending district champion - at least on the surface.

But at the moment, Springstead High will take it. The Lady Eagles triumphed 2-0 over Wesley Chapel-Wiregrass Ranch Wednesday night at Booster Stadium, despite missing four players due to injury.

"They improved a lot," Springstead Head Coach Polo Furlong said of Wiregrass. "We still have some issues; we have girls injured.

"But a win is a win. We played good. We played great defense again. And a win is a win. The girls worked really hard today."

The Lady Eagles (9-1-2 overall, 8-1-2 Class 4A, District 8) played without Alyson Brady, Jackie Holtje, Caroline Monzo and Ashley Southall, all out with minor ailments.

Still, they held the Lady Bulls (2-10-2 overall, 2-9-0 4A-8) to just one shot on goal, a harmless kick that rolled just enough to easily nestle into the waiting arms of Springstead keeper Jennifer DeFrancesco.

That happened in the opening minutes of the match, and represented the only real offensive opportunity for a while until Jacqueline Alexander put in a loose ball off a corner kick by Ashley Walker in the 31st minute.

Late in the second half, Walker again assisted on a goal via a corner kick.

This time Cassandra Cricic was on the receiving end, kicking the ball past Wiregrass keeper Kelsey Brown (five saves) and providing some insurance.

The Lady Bulls never mounted a serious threat anyway, but nonetheless came away having competed with the class of the district.

"I think we actually played really well," Wiregrass Head Coach Amanda Devona said. "The score last time was 3-1, so this shows improvement. We're short two starters on defense. I had to take away something from our aggressive forwards at midfield.

"There's always room for improvement. We'll keep on trying."

In a rarity, both coaches walked away happy about the results. Furlong showed no disappointment in spite of the relatively low score by his team.

"I think we're exactly where we want," Furlong said. "We want to be in the top two (in 4A-8). We have a lot of good competition in the district. They're doing their part. They're working really hard on every play.

"They play hard. They play futbol the way it's supposed to be done and the result is in there: 2-0, another shutout. That's where it counts."