Fresh off of winter break, Flagler Palm Coast boys soccer hosted Pedro Menendez on Jan. 7 in a tough game that saw the Bulldogs fall 5-2. FPC’s two goals were scored by Zach Hassell and Joseph Schmidt, both during the first half.
A look at the Bulldogs’ 2020-21 campaign shows the team with 5 wins, 7 losses and 1 tie (1-1-1 in the Class 7A-District 1, fourth place). The team’s last victory was against in-town rival Matanzas on Dec. 11 (2-0), and their only tie of the season was against Nease on Dec. 15 (1-1).
With a few weeks of the season left, FPC is scheduled to compete against the likes of New Smyrna Beach, Oakleaf, University and again, rival Matanzas on Jan. 22.
Who deserves a Standing O this year? What are the criteria?
A few years ago we decided to let those answers rest entirely in the hands of last year’s winners. It has become a December tradition to contact the current Standing O’s and ask them to select someone they feel deserves recognition, for any variety of reasons. It’s a gesture of goodwill, lending the spotlight to someone else in the community.
But I have to admit, I tried to talk one person out of her choice. Lynette Shott was a Standing O in 2019. She was on the executive team for Flagler Schools at the time and has since retired and moved out of state, but I reached her by phone to ask for her choice for 2020. She chose Joe Rizzo, the executive director of the Flagler County Education Foundation.
Share Bulldogs head to Orange City to challenge the University Titans in a non-district game on Friday, Jan. 8.
Flagler Palm Coast girls soccer team waited until the last 16 minutes to score against the Seabreeze Sandcrabs on Wednesday, Jan. 6, at the Ormond beach Soccer Complex, winning 1-0.
Lady Bulldogs held the Sandcrabs hostage close to their goal as they began an endless drive down field the first half. FPC goalie Gabriela Calidonio forced Seabreeze to stay out of the goal and off the scoreboard the entire game. Sandcrab goalie Avery Dellinger was able to hold the Bulldogs off until just under the 16 minute mark when forward Hailey Bovino pounded the ball into the bottom right pocket of the goal. Seabreeze had 14 shots on goal but could not manage to get by Calidonio.
Matanzas and Flagler Palm Coast high schools represented the area well at the East Coach Championships Dec. 12, in Daytona Beach, each finishing first in their divisions. The competition is in the middle of the cheer season, after football and followed next by regional competitions.
Honoring Russell
The day was particularly meaningful, after the death of FPC Principal James “Tom” Russell.
“As we were backstage getting ready to hit the competitive floor, our team took it upon themselves to circle everyone up and say a prayer in memory of Mr. Russell,” coach Wendy Wright wrote in an email to the Palm Coast Observer. “I reminded the cheerleaders that every time he saw them he would always make it a point to come to me and tell me how good they looked and how talented they are. We knew this competition was going to be a Bulldog win for Mr. Russell because we would have it no other way. Our Bulldogs took the floor and left a perfect routine with zero deductions.