Kurutz’s goal helps Manatee boys shake off Saint Stephen’s

BRADENTON — The goal was pretty.

Most importantly, it was pivotal.

It came off the foot of Chris Kurutz, whose Manatee Hurricanes were trailing visiting Saint Stephen’s by a goal Monday night.

The senior midfielder lined up for a direct kick and sent a 40-yard laser into the upper right corner of the net, notching a goal that proved to be part equalizer, part catalyst.

The Hurricanes rallied from that point on, knocking off the Falcons 3-1 for their sixth win in eight games.

It all began with Kurutz, whose goal came six minutes after Austin Fort, off a cross pass from Chris Scott, gave Saint Stephen’s a 1-0 lead 18 minutes into the first half.

“Once we get it cranking, we manage to start scoring,” said Manatee coach Rene Mirandilla, whose team improved to 6-1-1. “(Kurutz’s goal) is a very difficult ball to hit, especially when it’s a dead ball. ... When it’s a dead ball, it’s hard to put a lot of velocity on it. But he struck the ball well.”

Manatee took the lead just before the half on Joey Hutchinson’s header, with Julius Gomes supplying the assist.

A sophomore, Gomes scored a goal himself midway through the second half.

Mirandilla likes the strides taken by his Canes, who still have games against Class 5A-District 10 foes Venice, Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda Charlotte on their schedule.

“We’re getting to be more comfortable with each other,” he said. “The boys are doing a real good job of controlling the ball more in the midfield, and I think the defense is doing a good job of stopping the drive.”

Saint Stephen’s coach Marc Jones hopes games such as Monday’s will pay dividends down the road. The Falcons lost a chunk of talent from last year’s team, which advanced to the state final four for the first time since 2001.

“These are the games we want to play, to be honest with you,” Jones said. “I thought that all the players that went out, they competed. They got a little tired toward the end, but they competed, and I’m sure they learned a great deal from the game.”

Monday was the first game for Saint Stephen’s (2-2-1) since its 5-0 loss to Tampa Prep. And Jones saw improvement.

“It’s going to get better and better,” he said. “I’m sure we’ll be getting better as the season goes, which is obviously what I’m looking for.”