Keswick has upper hand over oft-rival Tampa Prep

Published on Friday, November 4, 1983 in the Evening Independent

By DARRELL PROCTOR
Independent Correspondent

TAMPA -- Three years ago, Keswick Christian and Tampa Prep got together to decide the championship of Class 1A, District 2 soccer. They also got together two years ago, and again last year. And just last week, they played for the Bay Conference title. In fact, it seems as if the two are always playing for a championship.

Nothing has changed. Today at 3:30 p.m. at May Help of Christians School, the two teams go at it again, once more to decide the district champion. Tampa Prep has won two of the previous three title-game meetings; Keswick has won two of the three matches between the two schools this year--does either team have the edge in what has become one of the state's best rivalries?

"I think we have a psychological advantage,"  says Tom Shanley of Keswick, who scored three goals in the Crusaders' 9-1 win over Orlando Lutheran in the district semifinals Thursday. "We've beat them twice in the past two weeks, and they know how strong we are."

Considering how many times the teams have faced each other recently, it would be surprising if either team doesn't know everything about the other. If anything, the teams are mirror images. Even their victories in the semifinals were similar.

The Terrapins scored three first-half goals in their 4-1 win over Lakeland Christian; Keswick scored four times in the first half in beating Lutheran. Both teams won by controlling the midfield area, both took advantage of superior depth.

One week ago, the Crusaders beat the Terrapins 2-1 for the Bay Conference crown. The players and coaches expect the same type of game today.

"The fact we've beaten them twice recently should give us more confidence," said Keswick coach Steve Short. "This team has a confident attitude, and that should help us."

"We'll have to take control of the midfield and play good defense," said Mike Johnson, who scored what proved to be the winning goal for the Crusaders just 10 minutes into the match. "Tampa has an exceptionally good team, and every time we play it's very competitive. But I think knowing we can beat them makes it easier on us. We feel more secure."

Keswick had plenty of security Thursday. Kevin Crippen opened the scoring with just two minutes gone, Johnson scored his goal moments later and Shanley put in the first of his three goals for a 3-0 lead midway through the first half.

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