By Brandon Wright, Times Correspondent
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
LITHIA — What started out as something of a joke has become as crucial to Newsome's girls soccer team as the cleats they wear and the jerseys they sport.
It's a silly novelty hat that looks like a Wolf, and assistant coach Autumn Dunn has worn it throughout the Wolves undefeated run.
"I think they'd kill me if I didn't wear it," Dunn said of the hat that has almost taken on a life of its own. "Seriously, they would."
While superstition runs deep with this group, so does talent. The nationally ranked Wolves will try to inch one step closer to the school's first team sport state championship today at 12:45 when they face Seminole in the 5A state semifinals at the University of Tampa's Pepin-Rood Stadium.
"We're not doing anything to mess this up," said defender Sammi Duval, who has to have her hair done up in pigtails before each match because of her personal superstition.
In the big picture, luck hasn't been much of a factor for Newsome, ranked No. 2 in the latest ESPN RISE national soccer poll. The 24-0-0 Wolves are ranked first in the state, won the Sarasota and Wharton tournaments, captured district and regional titles, and have thumped their opposition by a whopping 120-6 margin.
"Their goal since the first day of practice has been to win states," coach Kelly Townsend said. "Now there's just two more (matches) to go, but it won't be easy."
The Wolves got by a major hurdle last Friday, defeating George Jenkins 2-1 in the region final before an estimated crowd of 2,500. Newsome had been knocked out of the playoffs the past three years by the Eagles, a team ranked No. 3 in the country before last week's match.
"It was great to finally get past them," midfielder Karina Gutsche said. "We wanted that game so bad, but now it's time to move on."
With all the emotion surrounding the George Jenkins win, one of the toughest tasks ahead of the Wolves today will be coming down to an even keel.
"For sure, that's something I'm very concerned about," Townsend said. "Everything had been building and building for that (George) Jenkins game. They can't let up now."
First up for the Wolves will be a tough Seminole team. The Wolves and Warhawks haven't played this year, but they do share some common opponents. Seminole and Newsome both defeated Gaither 3-0 late in the season. But the Warhawks lost to Clearwater Central Catholic and Steinbrenner. The Wolves beat both those teams.
"(Seminole) is a good team," Townsend said. "And I think they've gotten better as the year's gone on."
If the Wolves get past today, they'll face the St. Thomas Aquinas/Fleming Island winner Saturday at 1:30 p.m. for the state title. As for today, spotting Dunn in the wolf cap or Duval's pigtails won't be a problem, but the superstitions don't end there. Every Newsome player will have a small red heart drawn in marker on their wrists.
"One heart," Duval said. "Many goals."