Four Terps soccer standouts sign on the dotted line

Two new Class 2A state titles banners -- celebrating this winter's remarkable runs by the Tampa Prep boys and girls soccer teams -- are already handing on wall of the school's gymnasium.

On Friday morning, Tampa Prep celebrated four key members of those teams at a college signing ceremony in the gym.

Boys goalkeeper Brad Sienkiewicz, the Times' Hillsborough County Player of the Year, signed with USF. Team captain Ryan Griffin, who had 17 goals and 15 assists this season for the 27-2-2 Terps, signed with UT, where he will have the opportunity to play right away. Both are four-year starters for Tampa Prep.

Sienkiewicz likened the jump to college to playing at Prep as freshman.

"We're older now, but we're going to be the little fish in a small pond," Sienkiewicz said. "We know guys are going to be stronger and faster and more experienced. We know there's going to be a transition period, but it's an exciting thing. We'll have to adjust."

Girls scoring sensation Chelsea Klotz, who tallied 64 goals last season and was the Hillsborough County Player of the Year, signed with USF and Carrie Field (6 goals, 11 assists) signed with Western Carolina.   The girls team went 27-1-1 and beat national No. 1 Delray Beach American Heritage on penalty kicks in a classic state final.

Klotz and Field are also teammates on the RSL Florida club team (Griffin and Sienkiewicz also play in the RSL Florida boys club team), and ended their high school careers with high school and club state titles.

"That was one of our goals and we accomplished it," Clotz said. "It's definitely a new beginning for us."

Said Tampa Prep AD Carol Chalu: "Academically our kids are all at different levels, but they all work hard, and I think that transfers to our athletic programs. .. We like to take academics very seriously, and the same goes for athletics."

NOTE: Click on photos for larger size. Photo 1 (L to R) Brad Sienkiewicz, Ryan Griffin. Photo 2 (L to R) Chelsea Klotz, Carrie Field

-- EDUARDO A. ENCINA