Saturday, February 13, 2010

Preps: Tampa Prep girls fall short; Tough night for Hillsborough County boys

Tampa Prep’s hopes of a second state title were dashed on Friday night as the Terrapins were never able to find their rhythm against a strong Delray Beach American Heritage side that earned a 2-0 victory for its third state title.

The Tampa Tribune’s Jarrett Guthrie details the game here.

Seminole and Palm Harbor did advance to their respective finals today, the Warhawks coming through a torrential downpour for most of the game to edge Lynn Haven Mosley 1-0 in overtime while Palm Harbor eased past Miami Lourdes 2-0.

Berkeley Prep will try to earn its first state title this morning as it faces Plantation American Heritage at 11 a.m. PAH is going for its sixth state title, all earned since 2000, and its second straight, and enters as the No.9-ranked team in the country according to ESPN Rise.

If you can’t get to Pepin Stadium, you can follow all the action here, as TBO.com will be webcasting the game live.

Elsewhere, the St. Petersburg Times' Eduardo A. Encina reports that Hillsborough County is interested in keeping the State Soccer Finals in Tampa for the next two seasons. The county holds a two-year option, and Hillsborough County Athletic Director Lanness Robinson believes the tournament is "good for the community."

In boys action on Friday night, it was a tough night for Hillsborough County teams as Sickles, Newsome and Berkeley Prep all fell one step short of the final four with region final losses to Seminole, Auburndale and Fort Myers Bishop Verot respectively.

Newsome was unlucky not to reach its first final four in a 3-2 defeat to Auburndale, the Wolves controlling more possession and creating more chances. Unfortunately, they were unable to take advantage of their superiority where it mattered most, missing a first half penalty and having a second half goal ruled out on a close offside call, and the Bloodhounds made them pay.

Seminole played giant-killer again, defeating Sickles in a penalty shootout after the two sides had played to a 1-1 tie through regulation and overtime. After upsetting East Lake on Tuesday night, Warhawks coach Rick Masi told the Times' Joey Knight he wasn't competely sure he could explain the Warhawks playoff run.

Berkeley Prep couldn't hold on to a halftime lead against Bishop Verot, falling 2-1 to the Vikings. In a text message after the game, Buccaneers coach Tim Cooper said his side got away from its normal style of play, and paid the price for it.

That leaves Tampa Prep as the lone Hillsborough side remaining, the Terrapins’ match against Vero Beach St. Edward’s being postponed until today at 1 p.m.

In Pasco County, Mitchell reached the state final four for the first time with a 1-0 victory against Celebration. The Tribune’s Mike Camunas was at the game, and filed this report on the Mustangs remarkable run.

With Seminole already through after its shootout victory against Sickles, Palm Harbor can make it two Pinellas teams in the final four with a victory against Orlando Olympia this afternoon, the Hurricanes match being postponed on Friday night as well due to the heavy rains that swept through the state.

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