Home-Field Disadvantage

SEBRING - There's something about the home whites that doesn't agree with the Sebring boys soccer team so far this season.

Winless at home and undefeated on the road, the Blue Streaks continued their cold play under the hot lights of Firemen's Field on Tuesday with an uninspired 2-0 defeat to Hardee, the same squad Sebring defeated in a double-overtime thriller last year in the Class 4A-District 10 semifinals.

"When we go out on the road, we're hoping to win," said Sebring senior captain Nicholas Peters. "When we're here, we expect to win, and that's what kills us."

That, and an inspired Wildcat squad, which controlled the tempo of the district match and used a quick, stifling defense to frustrate the Streaks and earn a bit of revenge after last year's heartbreaking postseason loss.

"They didn't care about being fancy," said Sebring junior Jazan Jimenez, a defender who moved up to forward for most of the first half to counter Hardee's speed up front. "They kick it up and do what they do, and they're not intimidated by anything."

Hardee coach Ron Kline said his team is coming along nicely this season, with their passing game and longball attack right where it needs to be. He said he talked to his team repeatedly about last year's abrupt loss to Sebring, which was marred by a rainstorm and sent nine Wildcat seniors out on a gloomy note.

"Our guys who are veterans wanted to come out strong tonight," Kline said. "They felt like they were denied a district championship last year. It was like getting to the dance and not being able to finish.

"That was all the incentive they needed."

Sebring (2-4) controlled the ball early and seemed to play with confidence in the early going before Hardee junior midfielder Elisio Diaz blasted the Wildcats' first shot-on-goal while sliding to his right into the net for a 1-0 lead in the sixth minute. The Hardee defense then took over, holding Sebring to few legitimate scoring chances the rest of the half.

The Wildcats scored again when senior forward Luis Reyes' cross found its way into the Sebring net to give Hardee a 2-0 lead in the 39th minute.

"We made silly mistakes, and that's what's hurt us this year - individual errors," said Sebring coach Paul Brown. "Hardee was sharper, they wanted it more, and they were the better team tonight."

Peters said the Wildcats simply beat the Streaks to the ball all night, and that if the Streaks don't pick up their intensity, it's going to be a long season.

"We've been playing together for a long time, but we're all still chasing after our men and not watching the ball," Peters said. "They had great defense, but we weren't in position all night, and when we do that, we can't play our game."

Jimenez agreed.

"We need to use our bodies and strength a lot more," he said. "We're a lot better than this."

That sentiment was echoed by Brown, who called his team's performance "the worst I've ever seen."

"We looked tired, but shouldn't be tired," Brown said. "We played a bit better in the second half, but our passing wasn't there, and things aren't clicking."

The Streaks hope the road the will be kind to them once again tonight, as they travel to DeSoto for a 7:30 p.m. district meeting with the Bulldogs.