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Streaks Sweep Devils

Chris Hoffman/Highlands Today

Sebring's Buck Schroeder and Avon Park's Ralph Felix fight for the ball during Friday's district match.

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By CHRIS HOFFMAN

Highlands Today

Published: December 14, 2008

AVON PARK - Lisa Pryzchocki may have missed her calling.

The vocal defensive leader of the Sebring girls soccer team showed she could've been a field goal kicker for the football team, as she made goals from 25 and 50 yards and never stopped directing traffic on the field during the Blue Streaks' 4-0 shutout victory over Avon Park in a Class 4A-District 10 showdown at Joe Franza Stadium on Friday.

"I had some distance on that 50-yarder. I was just trying to get it in front of Avon Park's defense and it went over the goalie's head for the score," Pryzchocki said. "It was nice to get some goals. You don't get many chances when you play defense."

Sophomore Amanda Grimaldo kept up her scoring pace by netting a pair of goals in the win while playing the game floating between midfield and forward, which enabled her to freelance where she felt the team needed her.

"Amanda is such a great athlete and has a solid knowledge of the game that I felt comfortable using her in a utility role tonight," said SHS head coach Steve Ashley. "She was able to distribute the ball well and took advantage of some scoring chances."

Sebring's ball movement and distribution was the key advantage they had over their archrivals from Avon Park, who showed a vast improvement over their slow beginning this season.

The duo of Pryzchocki and Maxime Copley helped direct traffic and keep the ball on the Avon Park side of the field that helped fuel the Streaks' scoring attack.

Pryzchocki would hold the Avon Park forwards at bay near midfield and on more than one occasion would pass to Copley, who would set up players like Destiny Weiss Sara Seance and Grimaldo in good position for quality shots on goal.

Grimaldo made good on one of those nifty passes by Copely by scoring moments into the match for an early 1-0 lead.

But Avon Park showed that they are not to be taken lightly.

The Red Devils were without leading scorer Ch'quen Wilmot, who was injured during Tuesday's game against Booker, and midfielder Iris Cotte, who is done for the year with a leg injury.

Injuries not withstanding, AP showed the type of moxie that any coach would be proud to go into a match with, holding the Streaks to just one goal in the first half.

With Wilmot out, Avon Park fullback Sayra Corona took up the offensive slack and showed good ball control and had numerous shots on goal that either were caught or were blocked by the Streaks defense.

One such shot by Corona bounced off a Sebring player and nearly went into the goal, but was cleared by the Streaks defense at the last minute.

"Sayra had a lot of chances tonight and I liked the way she moved the ball and got other players involved," Avon Park head coach Jocelyn Simplice said. "I thought we played well against a very solid Sebring squad. The biggest key for our team is that we have to learn to finish. We're setting up scoring opportunities and now we have to have those players to put the ball in the goal."

When Wilmot returns next week, the possibilities of her teaming with Corona on the pitch intrigues Simplice.

"Those two have the potential to be a solid scoring tandem," Simplice said. "We'll have to see if we can make it work."

Pryzchocki scored five minutes into the second half and moments later Grimaldo scored her second of the night off a rebound on a Copely corner kick for a 3-0 lead.

Avon Park had a chance late to get on the score board as Corona was given a penalty kick, but her shot went wide right.

"Sayra was so excited for her first penalty kick that she pushed it to the right," Simplice said. "I'm very proud of these girls and the hard work they've put in. We're going to make this work."

Sebring is back on the field Monday when they travel to face Clewiston, while Avon Park will face Sebring in a rematch on Tuesday with the game time set for 6 p.m.

BOYS SOCCER: Sebring 2, Avon Park 0

Junior Buck Schroeder watched his shot go wide late in the second half against archrival Avon Park and with it his chance at earning his first hat trick.

"I did everything I could to put me into position to get that third goal," laughed Schroeder. "I had my chances throughout the game but I'm just happy we walked away with the win. I'll have more chances to put three on the scoreboard."

Schroeder got ahead of the Avon Park defense on a breakaway and found the back of the net for his first goal minutes into Friday's 2-0 win over the Red Devils in a Class 4A-District 10 win at Joe Franza Stadium.

The Sebring junior leads the team with eight goals this season.

Streaks head coach Tim Boulay was impressed with his team's ability to shrug off a slow start after a late night on Thursday left them sapped of energy.

"We didn't get in until 1:30 a.m. this morning after playing in Sarasota last night," Boulay said. "So you can imagine that we came out a bit flat in the first half. You could tell with so many of our shots going wide and we didn't have the same intensity. And don't let their record fool you. Avon Park is a talented team only needing some time to have things click for them. They're going to be a dangerous team later in the season and in the future."

Avon Park got an outstanding game from goalie Arnaud Lewis, who took some surefire goals away from the Sebring forwards with his solid goaltending, taking a kick to the face in the process on a play in the second half.

Lewis, who is in his third year in goal for the Red Devils, says that the team is getting into shape, and when healthy, should be a solid team down the stretch.

"We've had a lot of players out with illness and injury, so it's been difficult," Lewis said. "Sebring got the best of us tonight, but we're going to bring it to their house next."

Avon Park was without forward Kemar Swaby and midfielder Lushane Denton went out midway through the first half with a shoulder injury that left head coach Craig Morris' bench depleted.

"I can say that we played hard and we did, but I still expected a win tonight," Morris said. "I thought we matched up well against Sebring, but they're a seasoned team and they're experience was the key in this game.

"I thought we were able to limit their shots in the first half and Arnaud did a great job for us in goal. We're going to be a lot better once we're at full strength."

Schroeder scored his second goal eight minutes into the second half for the margin of victory.

The two teams get another crack at each other, as Avon Park travels to face Sebring on Tuesday. Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m.

Chris Hoffman can be reached at 863-386-5837 or choffman@highlandstoday.com

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