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East Lake's Season Comes To Abrupt End

TIGERS 2, EAGLES 1 (PK)

Eric Horchy/SUNCOAST

Jesuit's Austin Jurado holds his position in front of East Lake's Brett Hummell.

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By Eric Horchy | The Suncoast News

Published: February 6, 2009

TAMPA - Thursday night's Class 5A regional quarterfinal provided exactly what one would expect from a match between two of the state's best teams.

East Lake and Jesuit bumped, elbowed and slide-tackled their way to a hard-fought 1-1 tie in regulation before requiring double overtime and penalty kicks to decide a victor. The host Tigers finally prevailed 5-4 after goalkeeper Robert Kouwe dove to his right and stuffed Brett Hummel's attempt.

The loss can certainly come as a bitter pill to swallow for East Lake (19-2-4). After navigating an undefeated season that garnered national acclaim, Thursday night's season ender was the Eagles' second straight loss.

Equally frustrating for East Lake was controversy surrounding Jesuit's first goal. In the 12th minute of the first half, Tigers senior Keith Sierra scored after getting a rebound off a direct kick that appeared to clank off the crossbar of the football field-goal post. Eagles players stated their case to officials, but to no avail.

East Lake coach Sergei Stopek said afterward that it was difficult not to be frustrated over the play and the eventual outcome.

"I'm happy that my kids fought back. We actually try to plan for stuff like that in training. If there's a bad call that doesn't go your way, you just keep playing."

That's exactly what East Lake did following the goal. The Eagles answered on a score from Josh Gonzalez that was picture-perfectly assisted by a Nick Patterson cross.

East Lake continued to apply heavy offensive pressure to begin the second half and created four legitimate scoring opportunities within the first five minutes.

Despite a commanding attack, the Eagles could not capitalize during the second half or the two 10-minute overtime periods. Jesuit (24-1-1) nearly ended the match in the first overtime with just over two minutes remaining, but East Lake defender Javon Bostic booted clear a ball that was sitting only yards away from a wide open net.

Both goalkeepers – Kouwe of Jesuit and East Lake's David Kirkbride – saved 2-of-7 penalty kicks. The Eagles failed to convert one shot that sailed over the net.

While a first-round exit is far earlier than expected for the Eagles, Stopek had nothing but praise for this year's team.

"It was a tremendous effort," he said. "They're an extremely competitive team, their wills are solid and it's been one of my most exciting years coaching."

Jesuit now advances to the regional semifinals where it will host Palm Harbor University next Tuesday. The Hurricanes defeated Leto, 2-0.

Eric Horchy can be reached at 727-815-1071 or ehorchy@suncoastnews.com.

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