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 Pinellas boys soccer preview
By Bryan Burns,
Times Staff Writer
In Print: Monday, November 9, 2009
 Palm
Harbor University coach Alex Delgado came full circle last season, guiding
the Hurricanes to their third state title on the same Pepin Stadium field
where he helped the school win its first championship as a player. Now in
his third season piloting the Hurricanes boys soccer team, Delgado will
strive to bring the program another first. Repeat state titles.
The Hurricanes have three titles in the past eight seasons but never back
to back.
Despite graduating six key senior starters, including leading scorer
Matthew Tobin, PHU remains one of a handful of local schools with legitimate
title aspirations.
"I know firsthand how hard it is to repeat," Delgado said. "I had my
doubts going into this year after losing six big-time seniors, but I like
our style of play and how many players we've been able to rotate. … All I
can say is I'm very confident in what we'll be able to do at the end of the
year."
Last year, Delgado estimated he rotated 16 guys during the Hurricanes'
title run, but that number will soar into the 20s this season with a larger
contingent of talented players to choose from.
"We're pretty deep," said midfielder Ben Sweat, who orally committed to
USF during the offseason. "Our second and third string are just as good.
There's no drop-off when they're in there."
As defending state champs, the Hurricanes will be tested by teams looking
to prove themselves, which is fine with Delgado, who says the tougher the
competition during the regular season, the more prepared his team will be to
make a deep postseason run.
"It's a great challenge for the players and the program," he said.
Five to watch
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