Pinellas girls soccer preview

A Palm Harbor University senior's final run at glory

Last season, Palm Harbor University forward Catherine Brinkman scored 34 goals to lead the Hurricanes to the Class 5A state championship, the school's fourth. With Brinkman back, along with all but three starters, the Hurricanes again figure into the title picture, albeit in 6A after moving up a classification. We caught up with Brinkman in between training sessions as the senior prepares for her final high school season (PHU opens Nov. 10 at Clearwater Central Catholic).

Does this year's team have the talent to be better than last year's?

I think so. I mean, we had Ellycia Colon and Ashlin Cook in the back, so we lost two defenders (Colon graduated; Cook, a senior, is out for the year after an offseason injury). It's hard to build a defense missing two girls, but we have some talented freshmen and some good sophomores and juniors that are ready to fill in. I expect a lot from our team. If we work as hard as we did last year and put in the effort, I expect a good finish from our team. I definitely think we have the talent and the determination.

Pinellas girls soccer preview