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Suncoast Pinellas News

Palm Harbor University girls bring home 4th state title

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BY ERIC HORCHY

THE SUNCOAST NEWS

Published: February 21, 2009

PALM HARBOR - The Palm Harbor University girls soccer team brought the Class 5A State Championship trophy back to Pinellas County last weekend by defeating previously unbeaten Lakeland George Jenkins 3-1 at the University of Tampa's Pepin Stadium.

The last time the hardware belonged to Pinellas was following the Hurricanes' last title in 2006. It's Palm Harbor's fourth championship overall.

Although the Hurricanes have appeared in four of the last five state finals matches, it was George Jenkins, the defending Class 5A champs, that came in with the most hype. The Eagles were ranked No. 2 nationally in the ESPN Rise Top 50 poll.

The proportion of accolades may have been skewed incorrectly as Palm Harbor (22-2) never trailed in the match and went ahead for good with freshman Anja Decker's third goal of the season.

Junior Catherine Brinkman, who scored the Hurricanes' first and last goals, said this win can make up for 2007's title-game loss to Satellite.

"After losing in the finals my freshmen year, nothing inside me could let us lose again," she said in an e-mail response. "Going into this final four with the experience from freshmen year definitely gave me the upper hand. I was nervous, but ready. No one was going to take another state title from me, no way!"

"It's hard to find words to express my feelings toward winning states. It's the most incredible feeling in the world and if I could I would replay that night over and over."

Factoring in largely to Palm Harbor's playoff success was the play of its midfield and defense, head coach John Planamenta said. Defender Ellyia Colon had the job of marking George Jenkins' best attackers and sweeper Cina Salemi "did and outstanding job organizing everything," he added.

Planamenta said he tried to not let his girls get caught up in the publicity surrounding the Polk County team, but let them know after the win what they had just accomplished.

"Afterward was when I told them that this is a team that was No. 2 in the nation and hasn't lost in two years," he said. "George Jenkins does deserve all that and they're a strong team all around. I really explained to them what they just did."

Soccertown, FLA

Just as the teams did in 2006, the Palm Harbor boys may be in contention to match their female counterparts and win a state title of their own today. If the Hurricanes were successful Friday evening in beating Coconut Creek Monarch, they will take on the winner of Niceville-Freedom Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

The boys and girls each won Class 5A state titles in 2006 and a victory would give the boys their third overall.

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

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