Eagles come through in second overtime

Springstead avoids PKs, topping Gulf 4-3.

By MIKE TOMPKINS
Published January 26, 2006

ZEPHYRHILLS - With 1:40 left in a second sudden-death overtime, Springstead's Mike Lambraia took a Preston Shutts feed and put it in the bottom-left corner of the net, catapulting the Eagles to a 4-3 come-from-behind victory over Gulf in the district semifinals.

The third-seeded Buccaneers held leads of 2-0 and 3-1, but fell to the second-seeded Eagles for the third-time this season, despite winning the shooting battle 20-5.

"We weren't prepared for this," said Lambraia, who scored his 15th goal of the season. "We figured we were going to go right through this game because we beat them twice during the season, but that's not what happened. We played flat in the back, and our intensity wasn't where it needed to be."

In the first half, Gulf (8-11-3, 7-5) jumped to a 2-0 lead on goals from Aldo Albarello and Diego Bustanmante. Springstead responded with a goal on a Tristan Lowry free kick as the Bucs went into the half ahead 2-1.

In the second half, Gulf added a John Munoz goal before the Eagles' Jason Zimmerman took a crossing pass from Lowry and scored, pulling Springstead (16-5-3, 12-2) within one. Lowry added a goal to send the game into overtime. "I thought we were going to PKs (penalty kicks)," Eagles coach Sal Calabrese said. "I really did. I had my paper out with the names on it. I'll give a lot of credit to Gulf, because they out-played us again. I just know my seniors didn't want it to end. I only have five of them, and they stepped it up after the half."

In the second game, Pasco's Jose Montelongo scored four goals, increasing his season total to 35, as the top-seeded Pirates (21-1-1, 12-1) cruised to an 8-0 mercy-rule victory over fourth-seeded Hudson, avenging their only loss of the season.

Gari Alejandre, who had three goals to bring his total to 17, opened scoring less than eight minutes in, and Alex Hollander's goal with just over 28 minutes left in the second half closed it out.

Springstead will meet Pasco, winner of two straight district titles, Friday night at Bulldog Stadium.

[Last modified January 26, 2006, 01:02:16]