Duo continuing River Ridge dominance

Over the past four years, the River Ridge girls soccer team has consistently become one of Pasco County's best programs - if not the best.

The Royal Knights had amassed a record of 52-4-6, three straight district titles and two consecutive conference crowns heading into the 2008-09 season.

If there were ever a year where a slipup appeared imminent, many thought this could be the one. All-time leading scorer Deana Rossi is now in her freshman year at Florida International University, goalkeeper Brittany Hahn is playing with the University of North Florida and midfielder Kaleigh Patri graduated, as well.

Judging by River Ridge's pristine 10-0-0 record as of Thursday, it appears this year's group of Knights does not agree with that rebuilding-phase assessment.

With Rossi leading the way, the team had always been known for its ability to find the back of the net. But now, the Knights are scoring even more proficiently by averaging nearly five goals per game.

Powering the surge thus far has been junior Mikaela Morolla and sophomore Jenny Karl. The tandem has combined, with near even production, for 24 goals and 13 assists.

What gives this team a slightly different feel than in prior years is the number of girls stepping up on the attack, Knights coach Skip Glover said.

"This time we don't have one primary scorer. We spread it around a little bit more. I have several girls that have scored multiple goals."

To be precise, four other players have scored at least four goals.

Morolla's scoring numbers have remained high despite shifting back from the forward position she played last year and now stationing herself primarily at center-mid.

"She might not be scoring as much as last year," Glover said of Morolla, who tallied 25 goals last season, "but she's controlling the game a bit more, so she's got a different role after I lost Patri in the midfield."

Before Wednesday's game against Ridgewood, Morolla and Karl both said living up to the lofty expectations set by their predecessors can be a daunting task, but they feel this team is built for success both now and for the future.

"We lost a couple stars last year, but most of us have been playing together for a while," Karl said. "We've pulled through and gotten some new players and now we're as good as last year."

As good is nice, but Morolla and Karl said achieving more than in years past is where the team's ambitions remain.

Since winning those three straight district titles, River Ridge has been one-and-done in the Class 5A state tournament each season.

"Every year we get to the same point in regionals and we kind of...yeah, you know," Morolla said referring to the past shortcomings. "So that's the main goal, definitely."