There’s something extraordinary brewing at Palm Harbor University HS, and if this girls’ soccer team keeps doing what it’s doing, it could culminate in some big things.
Namely, trophies. But — nothing has been captured yet. And this team knows that.
On Thursday evening, the Hurricanes closed the regular season undefeated and untied and captured the Pinellas County (PCAC) title by dispatching St. Petersburg HS 5-0. In the process, the ‘Canes did something only one other girls’ team at PHU has done in the 27 years since the program began. Only the 2003-04 team and this year’s team can say they’ve entered the postseason unbeaten and untied.
The other trophy this year was in the inaugural Tampa Bay Champions League in December — clearly a bigger deal than PCAC.
While the amount of regular season games have changed since the earlier days of PHU soccer, it still jumps off the screen that no PHU team has ever finished a regular season unbeaten and untied. For a program that has been around for more than a quarter century and has won eight state titles — that’s impressive.
The ‘Canes head into districts next week (likely playing in a district semifinal on Friday, Jan. 27 at home) at 14-0-0. No prior state title team entered districts without a loss or tie. This team down the street in PH? It has outscored opponents 75-4 in 14 matches this year. And you’re going to have a lot of chances to see them play down the street if they keep this up.
In the most recent Maxpreps national rankings, PHU is ranked No. 15. Its state ranking is at No. 8. These rankings will go a long way in determining who hosts what the next several weeks.
As an added bonus, PHU head coach Randy Irick won his 100th career game in just six years of coaching. He has guided this since 2017-18, when long-time coach John Planamenta stepped down. Irick’s teams are 100-14-6 in his six seasons, with one state title in 2018-19.
The postseason cranks up now, and the young ladies involved are extremely talented and worth supporting.
If you enjoy high-caliber soccer or getting fired up about your community’s youth — or both — check back on this blog for the details about what’s next, or keep checking on Palm Harbor Happenings.
DISTRICT ROUND:
Semifinals and Finals at PHU (likely) — Friday Jan. 27 and Tues or Wed Feb 1-2
REGIONAL ROUNDS:
Tuesday, Feb. 7 at PHU (likely) — First round
Friday, Feb. 10 at PHU (likely) — Second round
Tuesday, Feb. 14 at PHU (likely) — Regional final
STATE SEMIFINALS
Friday, Feb. 17 — SITE TBD (might be at PHU)
STATE CHAMPIONSHIP (Stetson University)
Feb. 22-25 at Spec Martin Stadium in DeLand (to be determined)
