'Hounds Start Slow, Finish Strong

Sat. January 28, 2012 at 2:05 a.m. | By Polk Preps Staff

BY LISA COFFEY

THE LEDGER

Class 3A, District 13 boys soccer tournament

AUBURNDALE | There was some worry when Auburndale trailed Sebring by two goals Friday in the Class 3A, District 13 boys soccer tournament final at Lake Myrtle Park.

It didn't last long.

The Bloodhounds turned it on, overcoming the deficit in the first half and eventually win 6-2 over the visiting Blue Streaks (13-6-1) in front of 300 fans.

When it was all over, coach Guy Jennings was full of compliments as the Bloodhounds (18-5-1) captured their sixth district title in the last nine years.

Jenning said the Bloodhounds were holding the ball to start the contest, waiting to see what Sebring's Estebinson Joseph would do.

Joseph would score one goal and assist on another, but when Auburndale identified the game plan, the Bloodhounds were good to go.

"We just to keep settling in and working," Jennings said.

He also had prepared the Bloodhounds for the postseason.

"We played the toughest schedule we could find," he said. "We played five of the top 50 teams in the nation, and we were in every game."

Jennings confidently pointed to several coaching decisions that worked out including inserting junior varsity call up Deedrick Young into the lineup. Young scored two goals for the Bloodhounds.

"We challenged him to step up and play with the big guys," he said of the fresh­man.

Auburndale midfielders Kevin Pierre and Saul Estrada controlled the center while Jennings' move of senior Austin Ruiz from midfield to foward looked genius.

"He was exceptional," Jennings said of Ruiz. "I felt we needed more offense and it really paid off. He worked well with Deedrick."

Ruiz, Matt Colquhoune, Calahan Warren Warren and Jake Smith all scored for Auburndale.

Senior midfielder Dave Obando provided two assists. Dylan Myers, Jerry Compere and Warren also tallied assists.

Auburndale hosts the winner of Merritt Island and Titusville Tuesday at home.