ODA shut out in quarterfinal

The Out-of-Door Academy boys soccer team saw its season come to an end Jan. 31, with a 4-0 loss to Indian Rocks Christian School in a Class 1A-Region 2 quarterfinal.

The District 8 runner-up Thunder (11-5-1), who were coming off a hard-fought 3-0 loss to Saint Stephen’s Jan. 27 in which seven players were injured, were held to just six shots — two of which were on goal.

“I don’t think we were ready for this game,” head coach Dave Hawkes said. “We came out flat-footed; and if you don’t warm up properly you’re not going to win the game. When you’re relying on the same 11 guys — it’s too much.”

ODA loses five seniors from this year’s playoff team, including goalkeeper Mark Marcello, who finished with five saves, Daniel Pivonka, Harry Lempriere, Sam Kimmell and Neil Sullivan.

“We had a good season,” Hawkes said. “I think a lot of teams didn’t expect us to get this far. They just have to try harder, and if they want to see what it’s like to get further and into the semifinals they’re going to have to step it up.”