Lake Howell looks to rebound from loss
Lake Howell boys soccer coach Scott Betsinger was quick to put things into perspective when addressing his team after finishing the regular season with a loss.
The Silverhawks were undefeated before falling 3-1 against Seminole Athletic Conference foe Oviedo last week. Lake Howell had defeated the Lions 5-1 in December.
Betsinger, a former Lake Mary player in his 26th year as Lake Howell coach, referred to the school’s state final four teams in 2003 and 2005 as appropriate examples while outlining the bigger picture.
“When it comes to the very end of this run, records don’t mean anything. It’s about putting together a four- or five-game winning streak,” he said. “It’s almost impossible to go undefeated in a high school season if you truly have the schedule that you need to compete with MaxPreps and FHSAA rankings. We looked at it kind of like a blessing in disguise, like we got it out of the way.”
The Silverhawks (11-1-3) get a full week of rest before their first Class 6A District 5 game Tuesday against the winner of Lyman (3-11-4) and Orange City University (8-7-3). Lake Howell is the heavy favorite in a district that also includes No. 2 seed Edgewater (7-6-3).
Soccer district tournaments begin Wednesday. Admission is $6 per session. District champions earn an automatic spot into regional tournaments and secure home-field advantage in the quarterfinal round.
Lake Howell, the 14th-ranked team in 6A according FHSAA power rankings, is loaded with an experienced roster that includes 14 seniors. Four players have been in the varsity lineup the past four years, including goalkeeper Ben Brietz.
The Silverhawks have held opponents to 15 goals. Senior forward Sean Pitner leads the team with 18 goals and 12 assists.
Cypress Creek (12-1-1) tops a deep field of Orlando area postseason squads in the state’s largest classification. The Bears rank No. 20 overall and No. 5 in Class 7A. They play host to the District 9 semifinals on Monday, where Lake Nona (9-3-1) faces Freedom (10-3-3) in an intriguing matchup at 5:30 p.m. Cypress Creek plays the winner of Tohopekaliga (7-62) and Osceola (3-10-0) at 7:30 p.m.
Four players have scored at least 8 goals for Cypress Creek, including seniors Oscar Hernandez (13 goals, 7 assists) and Miguel Hoyos (11 goals, 8 assists).
DeLand (12-3-1) faces a challenging slate in 7A District 2 under first-year coach Jim Lowenstein. The Bulldogs, ranked No. 29 overall and No. 9 in 7A, are the second seed behind Port Orange Spruce Creek (21-1-2). Spruce Creek ranks No. 2 in the state.
DeLand plays the winner of Lake Mary (6-8-4) and Ocala West Port (12-2-1) while Spruce Creek is slotted against either Oviedo (8-61) or Seminole (9-5-1) in semifinals on Monday.
On Thursday, No. 1 seed Dr. Phillips (12-3-1) and No. 2 Celebration (9-0-4) play in 7A-5 semifinals at Olympia. DP gets the winner of Olympia (9-6-3) and Haines City (7-7-3).
Celebration, led by juniors Edgar Marquez (6 goals, 8 assists) and Mohammed Raky (7 goals), must get past Windermere High (8-5-2) for a second time to remain undefeated. The Storm prevailed 3-2 on Dec. 13.
No. 1 seed Timber Creek (10-33) and No. 2 Boone (7-2-2) await Wednesday winners for 7A-4 semifinals scheduled for Friday at Oak Ridge. West Orange (7-1-5) will be challenged as the top seed in 7A-3 alongside No. 2 Apopka (11-4-3) and No. 3 Winter Park (7-62) should the Warriors get past Tuesday’s semifinal round.
Bishop Moore (13-3-5) ranks No. 5 in 4A entering a District 6 tournament that includes No. 8 Daytona Beach Seabreeze (8-5-1). The Hornets, who serve as tournament hosts, get the winner of Eustis (3-8-4) and Deltona (5-14-1) in a Tuesday semifinal.
First-year Horizon (8-3-5), playing without seniors, ranks No. 15 in 4A. The Hawks host Lakeland Tenoroc (1-13-0) on Thursday in District 7 at 7 p.m. as the No. 2 seed behind Lakeland McKeel Academy (8-4-1).
Trinity Prep (9-3-0) ranks No. 8 and Lake Highland Prep (6-34) ranks No. 10 in 3A entering separate district semifinal rounds Saturday night.
The Saints will host The Master’s Academy (9-5-1) or Daytona Beach Father Lopez (3-81) in District 5. Lake Highland is home vs. The First Academy (6-70) or Cornerstone Charter (7-6-1) in District 6. Both games start at 7 p.m.