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Freshman Does The 'Trick'

CHRIS HOFFMAN/HIGHLANDS TODAY

Sebring captain Sadie Adams slides into the path of a Lake Placid player during Thursday’s game.

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By Brian Gjurgevich | Highlands Today

Published: November 3, 2007

SEBRING — Amanda Grinaldo's three booming shots on goal in Sebring's season-opening loss to LaBelle didn't get the Blue Streaks on the scoreboard, but they certainly showed signs of the freshman's promise.

Two days later, Grinaldo turned that promise into a Sebring victory against Lake Placid, pulling off her first career hat trick in her second start and lifting the Blue Streaks to a 3-2 victory over the Class 3A Green Dragons on Thursday at Firemen's Field.

"That's what we expect out of our freshman," grinned Sebring senior captain Sadie Adams.
The Streaks' three unanswered goals were all Grinaldo's: She broke behind the Lake Placid defense to score just before the half in the 36th minute, then booted the equalizer on a penalty kick in the 55th and put Sebring on top with a shot from point-blank range in the 75th.

"That one was off my left foot," the right-footer said of her game-winner. "I was just giving it my all, and the pass was there."
Lake Placid seemed to have a handle on things early, getting two goals from forward Ali Lopez in the opening half, the second via an assist by Erica Resendiz.

Green Dragon coach Liz Sottile said she was happy with how her team performed for most of the game, and that opening the season with a tough road match is just the kind of start LP needs as they head into the regular season.

"We'll learn from it," said Sottile, who noted her team's footwork in the first half was at midseason form. "We had opportunities to tie it the second half, but we just didn't make it happen."

Sebring coach Steve Ashley said the goal just before the half was big for the Streaks, and that it helped keep the pressure on the road team. He noted his midfield play — particularly that of Molly Blackman, Ricki Albritton and Destiny Wise — was excellent, and that he shifted four defenders to mid in order to "keep them honest."

"They know how to play," Ashley said. "We didn't play well on Tuesday and tonight it was a typical Sebring-Lake Placid game. Tonight it just happened to go our way."

Adams said the victory gives the Streaks a boost of confidence heading into next week's district opener, when Sebring travels to Class 4A-District 10 power Palmetto on Tuesday.
"We did a lot of passing drills this week and it showed," Adams said. "Our communication was key, but we need to keep working on our passing as a team."

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