George Jenkins, Ridge Coast in First Round

THE LEDGER

LAKELAND | The top-seeded George Jenkins Eagles took care of business Monday, shutting out Bartow 4-0 at Veterans Stadium while Ridge Community High School defeated Lake Gibson 5-0 in the first round of the Class 4A, District 7 boys high school soccer tournament.

 

George Jenkins' Sean Whalen and Ridge's Antonio Arias led their respective teams.

 

Whalen posted three goals, bringing his season total to 38 to lead the team while Arias posted four Ridge Commu­nity.

 

Second-seeded Ridge (9-4-2) meets Wednesday's Lake Region/Lakeland on Thursday at 6 p.m.

 

Thursday, the Eagles (14-0-1) face the winner of Wednesday's Haines City/Kathleen contest.

 

The Eagles looked sharp as they attacked Bartow throughout the game and kept command as they try to improve on last year's run which ended with the regional semifinals against Auburndale.

 

Despite the score, Jenkins coach Shawn Fitzgerald was concerned about Bartow.

 

"At the beginning we played exactly as I wanted us to," said Fitzgerald, whose team was playing Bartow for the third time this season. "We were holding our shape. But it gets tougher and tougher each time you play an opponent. From here on out, every game is the state championship."

 

Whalen was clipped on the ankle after scoring his first goal and sat on the bench for a few minutes before returning to action.

 

Alex Morrell also scored and had an assist for Jenkins. Colin Maisch and Anthony Lucido each picked up two assists.

 

Arias picked up the slack for Ridge Community since the Bolts were missing two starters due to transportation problems.

 

Arias has scored 15 goals in seven games after the holiday break.

 

He started the season with 15 goals in five games before he slowed down.

 

"He thought he had to have the team on his shoulders," Ridge coach Mike Blethen said.

 

Luis Mandujano also scored for Ridge.

 

The victory was the sixth in a row for the Bolts.

 

"We're still getting into the right groove," Blethen said.

 

He pointed out the team was finally shooting low and the defense looked strong.

 

"We're getting our confidence," Blethen said. "We're starting to gel. It's just the first step."