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HCU U-14s face Disney challenge

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By NICHOLAS J.E. MURRAY nmurray@tampatrib.com

The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 25, 2009

Hillsborough County United's boys under-14 team enters this weekend's Disney Junior Soccer Showcase excited at the prospect of the experience they could gain from the competition.

The squad qualified for the event in September, reaching the final of the Showcase qualifier before falling 3-0 to an outstanding West Pines side that contained multiple U.S. under-14 pool players. Now, led by Coach Neill Roberts, the side is hoping to replicate the form that got them to that final.

"We are very flattered to be playing in a tournament like this," Roberts said. "You know, we didn't know what to expect having four new players and not knowing what to expect from the opponents at Disney originally. We went up, and every one of the games was very competitive, and we played absolutely exquisite soccer sometimes against some very good opposition."

At the qualifier, the side was still incorporating four new players into its lineup, including defender Lamont DeLorey, whom Roberts believes is one of the best defenders in the state for his age. While the team was still getting used to one another in September, one thing the side had immediately was a strong attitude and work ethic, something that Roberts credits for their success.

"I think we've got a great attitude, a bunch of very mature young guys," Roberts said. "They're great kids, the work ethic is phenomenal which is, to me, the most important thing."

If the side is to have success this weekend, Roberts points to players like DeLorey, Logan Siban, Brett Wilkosz and captain Damon Morris, all of whom will have pivotal roles as HCU faces the Dallas Texans, Concorde Fire from Georgia and FC United from Kentucky, all of whom are ranked the No. 1 side in their respective states.

That the teams they will face hold such a strong pedigree is appealing to Roberts, who believes that the only way his side will improve is by taking on the strongest opposition.

"You realize you've reached a level that is very competitive, and for us to play in a tournament like this, and to play against a group of teams that we'll be playing against, I know we are probably on a hiding to nothing, but that's why we want to play these games," Roberts said. "We don't want to keep playing the same tournaments over and over. That's why last year we went up to Raleigh, we would have gone up to Raleigh had we not qualified for the Disney tournament, but we have, and now this is even better. This is almost like a pinnacle of achievement for most of our boys because not a lot of them have that experience."

Gaither/Sickles remains undefeated

Shane Hurley scored his sixth and seventh goals of the season as Gaither/Sickles remained undefeated and on top of the standings in the Lightning Hockey Conference Western Division with a 3-2 victory against Palm Harbor on Friday night.

Daniel Fritz also found the net for Gaither/Sickles, which is now 7-0 on the season having played two more games than fellow undefeated side East Lake.

East Lake's 5-0 start has been powered by a strong defense, which conceded only six goals in five games. Mike Nehls leads the Eagles with five goals while also adding four assists.

Elsewhere, Berkeley Prep returned to .500 with a 2-0 victory against Steinbrenner, Cody Capps recording the shutout as Danny Hill and Tanner Bailey each scored in the third period to give the Buccaneers victory. Hill has had a standout season so far, scoring 15 goals in six games, while Bailey is also averaging a goal per game.

In the Central Division, Newsome Blue remained on top of the standings with a 5-2 win against Jesuit, ending a six-game undefeated streak for the Tigers.

A.J. Kesterson and Jacob Michniewicz gave the Wolves a 2-0 lead entering the third period, but goals by Zack White and Nick LaFleche got the Tigers back on even terms with 5:56 to play. Ian Seavey restored the Wolves lead less than a minute later, though, and Nick Clark added a pair of empty-net goals to put the game away for the Wolves.

Jesuit had recorded back-to-back shutouts to move into second place as the Tigers swept past Newsome White 10-0 before goals by LaFleche and Jake Herscovici gave them a 2-0 victory against Plant.

Nicholas Murray can be reached at (813) 259-8243.

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