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Plenty of unfinished business for Mitchell soccer

The unbeaten Mustangs are talented from top to bottom on the roster, but a state title has proven elusive.
 
Published Jan. 16, 2019|Updated Jan. 16, 2019

NEW PORT RICHEY — New head coach. New starting lineup. New hopes and expectations. All good for Mitchell High girls soccer in 2019.

How good? Through the first 12 games the Mustangs were not only undefeated but had pretty much dominated in all their victories, outscoring opponents by a combined 69-4.

"I would say this team has a better chemistry than we've ever had and we've had some really great teams," said senior Ashley Grisley, who also played on the Mitchell teams that reached the state semifinals and region final the past two years. "This year we want to get to (the state championship game). I think it's a definite possibility."

Sure it is.

Part of the magic — despite losing eight players and its head coach of the previous 16 years (Karl Kukec) to graduation and retirement — stems from familiarity.

The new head coach, for instance, is David Phillips, who served a few years as an assistant under Kukec, who turned Mitchell into a postseason staple that included several state-semifinal appearances.

Mitchell junior Eva Pitkoff entered the week second on the team in goals with 17. (SCOTT PURKS | Special to the Times)

There also is the return of several outstanding players, including Aja Graham (24 goals, nine assists), Eva Pitkoff (17 goals, nine assists), Brianna Wiik (nine goals, six assists), Grisley (six goals, six assists), defender Abby Stokes (back from a knee injury) and senior keeper Pilar Eguino (49 saves).

Perhaps the best news is the way the returners have jelled with the newcomers, including talents like sophomore Destiny Sanchez.

"I think we all communicate very well and the kids want to help each other and get better as a group," Phillips said. "They really do work well together."

It helps that leaders such as Pitkoff give "1,000 percent" at every practice and game, and captains like Grisley have the "complete respect of everyone."

Motivation? For that Mitchell, ranked 22nd overall in the state and sixth in Class 4A by MaxPreps, needs to look no farther than the fact that it still doesn't have the coveted state title to put in its trophy case.

And try this for extra motivation. Montverde, the team that knocked the Mustangs out in the Region 2 final a year ago, could be waiting again. The Eagles, who went on to win state, are also unbeaten and ranked fifth nationally.

"We feel like we have more to do," Grisley said. "We've gotten so close. Now we need to go just a little farther."