Hey, why not us?

Try as they might, F.W. Springstead has failed to capture the Ridgewood Holiday Classic Soccer Tournament's tallest trophy.
But beginning at 5 p.m. Monday at Ridgewood High's Booster Stadium in the ninth edition of this event, the Eagles will attempt to accomplish what no other Hernando County team has ever achieved.
This season's eight-team field consists features: Clearwater, Spring Hill-Springstead, St. Petersburg Catholic, Tallahassee-Leon, Tampa-Alonso, Tampa-Newsome, Tampa-Spoto, and host New Port Richey-Ridgewood.
The defending tourney champion is Alonso. Springstead fell to Alonso in the title match last winter, 3-1.
Each of the teams are guaranteed three matches over three days of competition.
The top three finishing teams will receive trophies. An All-Tournament team will be selected and certificates will be presented.
Plaques will be given to the Most Valuable Offensive Player, Most Valuable Defensive Player and a Sportsmanship Award.
Ridgewood's veteran Head Coach Ed McComiskey, doubles as the tournament director.
What about the field?
"We try each year to get a variety of teams that we don't normally play from the area," explained McComiskey on the event's mix.
What's the tournament's goal?
"We want to give people the opportunity to play some other teams," he responded. "It's too long of a winter break not to play. I've learned you get a lot more out of your kids with games, than with practice over the break. Games are the best way to evaluate and correct things."
 Tourney favorites?
"Leon has had success for awhile and Alonso has been strong for the past few years," said McComiskey. "I wouldn't be surprised to see a Leon/Alonso final."
 
Eagles 101
 
Springstead (9-4-0 overall) heads into the tourney with a head of steam.
Following last Friday's 2-0 win at the Bears' Den against the two-time defending County Champion Bears, SHS is riding a three-match win skein.
Interestingly, the Eagles have recorded back-to-back-to-back shutouts.
Though defender Steve Sullivan (broken bone in his foot) and forward Cody Emmerman (knee) are out for the season, some of the other walking wounded are almost 100 percent.
Striker Nathan Leathers' hamstring appears fit and Matthew "Flounder" Gozdziewski recently returned.
SHS goalkeeper Nick Allegra has been carefully monitored. He suffered "a slight concussion" at Ocala-Forest. But Allegra and his teammates are all expected to play beginning Monday night against Tampa-Newsome.
The Eagles are a career 4-7 at Ridgewood. Last winter, SHS went 2-1 redeeming themselves for a poor 0-3 effort the year before.
"All our guys (that are healthy) will be there," insisted Springstead's 17th-year Head Coach Sal Calabrese.
Why return to Ridgewood for a fifth time?
"Holidays tournaments are difficult because of guys playing in the Sun Bowl," expressed Calabrese, who is 193-127-8 overall. "Our guys have made a commitment to playing at Ridgewood. I like going there and our kids like playing there.
"You want to play bigger schools and tougher teams to see where you're at and what you need to get you to the next level," admitted Coach Calabrese.
What's the focus?
"Right now, our attention is getting past Newsome," replied Coach Calabrese. "In a tournament, we'll be tested. We may end up in PKs (penalty kicks). That's something we practice everyday. But it's not the same until you get to game situations and match is on the line. We want to see how kids handle pressure."
What about Newsome?
"Last year (a 4-1 Eagles' win), we caught them without some of their players, who were with their club teams at Sun Bowl," recalled Calabrese. "They're a good side. That match will help us mentally prepare for the rest of the week."
How pivotal is the first match?
"It's huge," said Calabrese. "You win that first one and you get a little momentum."
 
Coaches' prediction
 
"I was kinda hoping we'd make the final," frankly stated Coach Calabrese. "We're good enough to finish among the top three. We're going in to win this. We've been last, we've finished third, and last year we were runner-up. We've done everything except win it." 
 
Sports Editor Tony Castro can be reached at 352-544-5278 or online at acastro@hernandotoday.com.
 
AT A GLANCE
WHAT - 9th annual Ridgewood Holiday Classic Soccer Tournament
WHO - Eight teams including: Clearwater, Spring Hill-Springstead, St. Petersburg Catholic, Tallahassee-Leon, Tampa-Alonso, Tampa-Newsome, Tampa-Spoto, and host New Port Richey-Ridgewood. Defending champion is Alonso.
WHERE - Ridgewood High's Booster Stadium.
WHEN - Four matches on each day from Monday, Dec. 28-Wednesday, Dec. 30.
AT STAKE - Top three teams receive trophies; an All-Tournament team will be selected and certificates will be presented; plaques will be given to the Most Valuable Offensive Player, Most Valuable Defensive Player and a Sportsmanship Award.