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Boys soccer: Sunlake 6, Nature Coast 0

 
Published Jan. 30, 2016

LAND O'LAKES — Friday night marked the first in a line of steps Sunlake needed to fulfill before reaching the state semifinals for a fourth straight season, and it was done convincingly.

Opening the Class 3A region quarterfinals, the Seahawks dispatched Nature Coast 6-0 in front of the home crowd.

It was only a couple weeks ago that these same teams met and the Sharks (16-6-1) battled Sunlake (26-1-2) to a tight 2-1 loss. This match was not nearly as competitive, with the Seahawks scoring twice in the first 10 minutes.

"It definitely helps that we've been here before, and the kids know what we need to do," Sunlake coach Sam Koleduk said. "The Nature Coast kids are good, but they're still kind of new to the playoffs, and it's a different game."

Sunlake's leading scorer coming in, Corey Turba began the offensive outburst, punching in a beautiful pass from Tariq Michael about five minutes into the contest. The point-blank shot blasted past Nature Coast keeper David Pye (12 saves) for Turba's 38th goal. Michael picked up his 18th assist on the play.

Three minutes later, Grant Presson converted on a difficult shot. A long pass from the sideline by Nick Gunn was fielded in the box about 5 yards from the net. Presson drove the ball top shelf just under the crossbar to make it 2-0.

In the match's 16th minute, a corner kick from Sabastien Restrepo was perfectly placed and headed in by Jonathan Romero for the third goal of the first half. Restrepo leads the team with 38 assists this year. Three minutes later, Romero set up Michael for his 37th goal of the season, making it 4-0.

Sunlake keeper Danny Hrenko (four saves), the national record holder for career shutouts (84), did more than his part. As the Sharks desperately attacked late in the first half, the senior saved a flurry of great attempts to maintain the shutout, his 22nd of the season. He also picked up an assist in the final minute as his free kick nearly went in and was rebounded by Corbin Anderson for the final goal.

"I never have to worry about anything on that end when Danny's on the field," Koleduk said. "It's like having another coach out there."