TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Highlands Today

Friendly Rivalry Boils Over

JESSE OSBOURNE/HIGHLANDS TODAY

Avon Park High School takes a free kick against Sebring High School in Sebring's 5-0 win Thursday night.

ADVERTISEMENT

By Christopher  Hoffman | Highlands Today

Published: November 10, 2007

SEBRING –– Friendly rivalries are healthy in the sports arena, but when the boundaries of good sportsmanship are crossed, anything can happen.

What should have been Amanda Grimaldo's coming-out party turned ugly on Thursday, as a game-halting melee ensued in the 70th minute of Sebring's 5-0 win over Avon Park in a Class 4A-District 10 showdown at Firemen's Field.

With the Blue Streaks up by four goals, an Avon Park and Sebring player got tangled up after going for the ball late in the match. One shove led to another, and after a punch to the jaw, the fight ensued. Both teams had players run on the field, as cheers from both sides could be heard over the commotion.

"That is the last thing we need in a soccer match," Sebring goalie Becca Secory said. "I wasn't sure what had happened at first, but when I realized there was a fight, I tried to calm our bench down."
After the girls were separated, both head coaches attempted to maintain order on the field. Avon Park head coach Greg Thacker vehemently scolded numerous members of the junior varsity squad that stormed the field.

Sebring head coach Steve Ashley was just as harsh with his charges during the 10-minute delay before play resumed.

"I don't like retaliation when something like that happens," Ashley said. "If we are going to retaliate, it is going to be on the field of play.

"If some of the girls don't want to play the right way, then they don't need to play for me."
Both girls involved in the altercation were issued red cards and could face suspensions for up to six weeks. Information on the suspensions were not available at press time.

Grimaldo scored four goals against the Red Devils and has become the undisputed offensive leader on the field early in the season for Sebring.
Many of her teammates are not surprised of Grimaldo's performance so far this season –– seven goals in four games.

"I've been waiting for her [Grimaldo] since I was a freshman," Secory said, who scored the final goal of the match. "She is just a natural, but it isn't a surprise since she played against her brother [Daniel] all those years."

Senior Daniel Grimaldo stars for the Sebring boys soccer squad this season.
The Red Devils seemed to bounce back from the 8-0 loss on Tuesday to Braden River, forcing the action early and getting good looks at the goal.

Avon Park senior Julie Lamb played the middle well, getting in front of the Sebring defenders, but was unable to finish.

"I think she [Lamb] is thinking pass first too much," Thacker said. "She needs to shoot first when she has those kinds of opportunities."
Grimaldo needed no such advice, as he shot was on target, blasting her first goal at point-blank range in front of the Avon Park net.

The Blue Streak freshman managed five shots on goal, scoring moments before the half off a Sebring corner kick by Sadie Adams for a 2-0 lead.

"You have nothing to be ashamed of," Thacker told his team at halftime.

The very physical match continued in the second half, with Grimaldo picking up right where she left off, taking three shots within the first 10 minutes of the half, before tipping in an errant shot by teammate Molly Blackman and moments later scoring her fourth goal of the game on a breakaway.
The physical style of play will serve the Blue Streaks well when they face off on Tuesday against the Braden River Pirates, while Avon Park hosts cross-county rival Lake Placid on Monday.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT