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Highlands Today

Sebring Frustrated By Physical Braden River Squad

Chris Hoffman/Highlands Today

Sebring's Destiny Wise (3) and Braden River's Morgan Adams try to muscle each other for control of the ball during the second half of the Class 4A-District 10 tournament game on Tuesday.

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By Christopher  Hoffman | Highlands Today

Published: January 17, 2008

PALMETTO — Penalty kicks saved the Sebring girls soccer team on Monday against Hardee, but direct kicks by Braden River ousted the Blue Streaks from the Class 4A-District 10 tournament after a 2-0 loss to the Pirates at Harllee Stadium on Tuesday.

The extremely physical game against two evenly matched teams left scoring chances at a premium in the tournament's semifinal match.

"Sebring is a very physical and aggressive team," said Braden River head coach Julie Piccirilli. "We wanted to come out and play cautiously to avoid injuries but also apply enough pressure to keep them off balance."

No. 2 seed Braden River offered up its own brand of physical play, which led to several Sebring players losing their composure at crucial moments in the game.

Just before halftime, the Streaks were dealt a yellow card for unsportsmanlike conduct, which gave Pirate junior Amanda Peterson a direct kick that bounced off the crossbar into the goal and gave the Pirates a 1-0 lead at the half.

"It's the little things that can cost you in a game like this," said SHS head coach Steve Ashley. "Braden River took advantage of some calls against us, and we didn't keep our composure."
With the loss, No. 3 seed Sebring was swept in their season series 3-0 by Braden River. They lost 8-0 in their first meeting and 1-0 in the second.

The Pirate defenders, who utilize a "five-stack" or rotating defense, applied constant pressure on the Blue Streak strikers, with two Braden River defenders pestering Sebring's forwards every time they touched the ball.

Blue Streak leading scorer Amanda Grimaldo was only able to get one shot on goal in the game due to the Pirates swarming defense.

The physical style of play took its toll on the Sebring players, with many looking worn out at game's end, especially Rachel Ashley, who had an ice bag on her forehead after she took an elbow to the head.

Early in the second half, Sebring had its best scoring chance when Ashley dribbled on the outside of a Pirate defender for a clear shot on goal, but junior goalie Nikki Gainey smothered the ball for the stop.

The Pirates put the game out of reach when freshman Maddison Pearson's header on a deflection from a direct kick scored the deciding goal of the game.

Blue Streak sophomore Destiny Wise was upbeat after the match, tipping her hat to the Pirates.

"We're just excited we made it this far," Wise said. "This team has really pulled together, and I congratulate Braden River on a good game. We had good opportunities to score but they played great defense to deny us.

"Don't worry though. We'll be back."

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