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Soccer: Round 4 Bell Ready To Ring

East Lake Holds 1-0-2 Season Edge Over Rival PHU

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By Eric Horchy | The Suncoast News

Published: January 29, 2009

PALM HARBOR - The mercury may be forecasted to dip below 40 degrees Friday night during the Class 5A, District 9 boys soccer title game, but the intense rivalry between host Palm Harbor University and East Lake High can be counted to keep things well-heated.

The match will mark the fourth time this season the two powerhouses meet, with East Lake (19-0-4) holding a 1-0-2 advantage. The last of those run-ins was on Jan. 9 at Palm Harbor (18-4-4) during the annual Hurricane Watch Tournament and the Eagles ran away with a 3-0 blowout victory.

That latest result and how it played out will add an interesting twist into Friday night's game, East Lake head coach Sergei Stopek said.

"The thing that's going to be unique in this case is that they lost 3-0 at home," he said. "I don't think they have lost at home in almost four years, so I can guarantee you Alex (Delgado, PHU's head coach) is going to make sure that they're prepared for us."

"It's the usual deal when it comes to Palm Harbor and East Lake in the district finals," Delgado said. "We've been getting ready all year for this chance."

Friday marks the fourth straight year the schools have met on this stage. East Lake won last year and in 2006 and PHU took the crown in 2007.

While the Hurricanes enter the match as the No. 1 seed, it's East Lake who is considered the favorite. The Eagles have now crept up to No. 15 nationally according to the ESPN RISE Fab 50 rankings. It's the third highest of any Florida team.

Despite the relative success the Eagles have had against PHU this season, Stopek said sometimes playing a team so many times in the same season can almost become a burden.

"In theory, it can become a disadvantage in a couple ways," he said, listing off a few concerns that need addressed. "Can your kids continue to stay up for it? Can your kids continue to stay humble? Can a coach find new ways to motivate them to beat that same team again?"

Delgado said he has made sure to speak to his upperclassmen about getting back up for this game mentally.

"I told them if they can't get motivated for this game being the underdog and seniors and trying to gain some of the respect that they lost last year back, then I don't know how they can ever get motivated."

The intensity and passion may be high each time these rivals meet, but the school's proximity lends another added element to the emotional mix. Multiple players from both squads have played together as teammates at the club level, mostly with the Clearwater Chargers.

"It's definitely a heated rivalry," Delgado said, a former Hurricane player himself. "Both schools as a whole don't really like each other too much, but a lot of these guys are good friends. There should definitely be a big crowd there at Palm Harbor on Friday night."

"With Palm Harbor and East Lake, even though it's a rivalry, there's a lot of class and a lot of respect between the two teams," Stopek said.

The final will be held at Palm Harbor Friday night at 7 p.m. Log onto www.suncoastnews.tbo.com/pinellas for complete game coverage, photos and quotes from the evening's action.

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

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