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Highlands Today

Scrappy Bulldogs Bite Blue Streaks

Mark Pinson/Highlands Today

Sebring's Christian Perilla 4 closes in on Frostproof's Tito Alvarado in the second half of Friday night's soccer match at Firemen's Field.

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By MARK PINSON Highlands Today

Published: December 21, 2008

SEBRING - Playing two matches in 24 hours caught up with the Sebring boys soccer team against Frostproof on Friday night at Firemen's Field.

After knocking off district rival Hardee in Wauchula on Thursday night, the Blue Streaks didn't get back until midnight and the late night took its toll as the Bulldogs dominated the play and used a goal by Aurelio Sabala for a 1-0 win.

"We got back late last night and we also use these non-district matches to get some of the players that don't play much into the game," said Sebring coach Tim Boulay. "We didn't communicate like we usually do because guys were not in their normal positions.

"We just need to get some rest and come back after the holiday break ready to go."

The victory improved Frostproof to 2-4-2 on the season and kept Bulldog coach Gurney Masters unbeaten against his grandson, Buck Schroeder, who is a junior forward on the Sebring squad.

"We played total team defense and Sebring has a couple of guys that you have to shut down and we did," said Masters. "We're a young team with three seventh graders and an eighth grader in our starting lineup.

"We're still adjusting to varsity competition and we had a little extra incentive playing against Buck's team."

Sebring, which had 11 shots on goal, failed to control midfield against the smaller, but scrappy Bulldogs, who used crisp passing and ball placement to the wings to set up 17 shots.

"It's always interesting when we play against my grandfather's team," said Schroeder. "I haven't beaten him in my high school career, but we've got a match at Frostproof coming up in January and I can't wait to beat him.

"We came out a little tired and flat tonight and didn't talk, but we're close to clicking and the holiday break will give us a chance to rest and get some guys healed up."

Frostproof netted the only goal when Sabala took a pass from 35-yards out and rifled a kick into the upper-right corner of the goal past a diving Blue Streak keeper Ryan Cochran with 1:57 remaining in the first half.

"It was a great shot and sometimes you can't do anything about a goal," said Boulay. "Both of our goalies, Ryan and Jesse Ouverson, made some outstanding saves and did a great job and kept us in the match."

Sabala's goal atoned for an earlier missed penalty kick.

"Aurelio has a strong leg and he felt like he had to make up for missing the penalty kick said Masters. "He's a veteran and a very solid player."

Sebring tried to penetrate the stingy Frostproof defense in the second half, but the Bulldog players swarmed the ball and cleared it safely away from their goal.

The Blue Streaks had a couple of late scoring opportunities, but sophomore keeper Martin Nerio made the saves to seal the win for the youthful Bulldog team.

"I'm really proud of the way our guys shut down Sebring and Martin has excellent instincts and is an outstanding goalie," said Masters. "We're just beginning to jell and coming together as a team and I'm really proud of the guys."

Frostproof is done until after the holidays, while Sebring, which dropped to 7-4-2, travels to Okeechobee for a tournament on Monday and Tuesday.

Mark Pinson can be reached at 863-386-5837 or mpinson@highlandstoday.com.

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