Split Decision

AVON PARK - The Sebring and Avon Park girls soccer teams left everything on the field, and after 80 minutes, the decision was up in the air, as the Red Devils drew even with the Streaks, 2-2 in a Class 4A-District 10 clash at Joe Franza Stadium on Thursday.

"I thought we played a very clean and aggressive game tonight," AP head coach Greg Thacker said. "I was very impressed with our passing and getting the ball in position to score."

This game, the first meeting between the two teams since the Nov. 8 match that was marred by an on-field scuffle and suspensions levied against the two involved, was as even as they come. Both teams rallied to the ball, although Sebring seemed to have more left in the tank at the end of the game than their Red Devil counterparts.

"We're just going after the ball trying to make things happen," SHS head coach Steve Ashley said. "I give credit to Avon Park. They came out aggressive and we're lucky to come out with a tie."

Luck for the Blue Streaks was in the form of goalie Rebecca Secory, whose play in the second half padded her reputation as one of the district's top keepers.

A breakaway by AP senior Missy Lander was the perfect setting for a score, but Secory made the glove save to end the threat.

Moments later, Avon Park's Sheila Figuerroa and Secory squared off on a penalty kick. The AP sophomore booted a hard shot but a diving Secory deflected out of bounds. A pumped up Secory let out a primal scream and celebrated with her teammates after the amazing play.

"She is the reason they didn't go home with a loss tonight," Thacker said. "Missy had a point-blank shot and she batted it away. She's always tough in goal."

Secory was complimentary of her opponent's improved play, but knows that they let the game slip by them.

"I hate losing to Avon Park," Secory said. "I think sometimes we play lower than our potential and we still have a lot of newbies on the team. Communication and passing our key if we're going to continue to succeed."

Sebring freshman Amanda Grimaldo scored on a shot from near midfield before Lander's penalty kick knotted the score midway through the first.

The tempo of the game favored Avon Park, who controlled center field, with freshman Brittanie Calhoun putting the pressure on the Blue Streak forwards.

"Brittanie has been playing unbelievably well lately," Thacker said. "She's only a freshman, so I have a couple seniors to watch her back, but I thought she controlled the middle and push the ball forward to our scorers."

After Sebring junior Ricki Albritton's goal gave the Streaks a 2-1 advantage late in the first half, Red Devil forward Julie Lamb drilled a shot that was blocked by goalie Molly Blackman, but Figuerroa blasted the rebound to the left corner for the game-tying goal.

With both teams playing a physical game, there seemed to be no residual effects from the incident in the previous meeting.

"The girls are always going to come out and play hard," Ashley said. "I didn't notice any bad feelings from either side. It was just a desire to win."

Both teams are off for Christmas break, though Sebring recently added a match on Jan. 4 against Clewiston, while Avon Park gets back on the field on Jan. 8 against Lake Wales.