Sebring A Step Behind LaBelle

SEBRING - Like they were running in slow motion.
The Sebring Blue Streaks girls soccer team opened their season in less than grand fashion, looking very sluggish and unable to shake off the rust against a very spry LaBelle Cowboys team in a 3-0 loss in the season opener at Firemen's Field on Tuesday.

The Blue Streaks, who were without key player Heather McIntyre, were outhustled and outplayed from the opening whistle, unable to consistently break through the Cowboy midfield defense.

With the rain coming down in sheets and the wind swirling, the conditions were slick and muddy early on, but LaBelle had no trouble using its speed to their advantage. The Cowboys looked like team that had been playing soccer all summer, while Sebring was the exact opposite, devoid of good passing technique and a lack of communication.

"We have a lot of inexperience in key positions this season," Sebring head coach Steve Ashley said. "I'm really not impressed with our players today except our goalie."

LaBelle senior Amanda Barron scored a goal off a pass from teammate Brianna Sanchez midway through the first half for a 1-0 lead.

Barron would turn out to be the Cowboys main weapon, scoring her second goal on a perfect cross-net pass from junior Leah Kitchenof minutes before the half.

Sebring's Amanda Grimaldo gave fans something to cheer about, clearing space for three powerful shots on goal near the end of the second half. A diving save by the LaBelle goalie denied Grimaldo a chance to get the Blue Streaks on the board. A late goal by the Cowboy's Hanna Kitchenhof provided the margin of victory.

No heads were hanging low on the Sebring sidelines after the match. A sense of relief that the first game is behind them and a look ahead to what the season has in store.

"This team has the potential, but this team has only had a week of practice together," McIntyre, who is day-to-day with a leg injury, said. "They need to communicate more out on the field and play with more confidence.
"We'll get better with time."

Sebring is back in action tonight, when they host cross-country rival Lake Placid at 7:30 p.m.