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Girls Soccer Playoffs Underway Thursday

River Ridge, Hudson are In; Mitchell Out

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By Eric Horchy | The Suncoast News

Published: January 26, 2009

Two West Pasco girls soccer teams survived – and won – their respective district tournaments last weeks and will now host regional quarterfinals games beginning this Thursday.

River Ridge (17-2, Class 5A, District 7) picked up its fourth consecutive district title with a 1-0 win over Land O' Lakes. Hudson (21-2-1, Class 4A, District 8) came back to edge Zephyrhills 2-1 for its second straight championship.

Both teams will be looking to reverse recent postseason futility. River Ridge is always a powerful North Suncoast squad, but has been vanquished by Hillsborough County teams in the first round for three straight seasons. Hudson, whose three straight playoff trips are also the school's only appearances, was taken out on opening night the past two years.

River Ridge has two playoff victories in school history, with the last coming in 2002. The Lady Knights will try to avenge a 5-1 thumping suffered against Bloomingdale (13-3-2, District 5A-8) in 2007's first round.

The Lady Cobras also invite somewhat familiar jerseys into Hudson when Orlando Bishop Moore pulls into town. Hudson dropped its first-ever postseason appearance on the road to Bishop Moore, 5-0.

The area's biggest surprise leading into the playoffs is not who is gearing up to play, but who happens to be absent.

Mitchell – arguably the North Suncoast's best team this season – entered its ultra-competitive District 6A-7 playoffs as the top seed. After an opening round win, the Lady Mustangs then fell to Alonso 2-1 in the semifinals.

Both quarterfinal playoff games will begin at 7 p.m.

Eric Horchy can be reached at 727-815-1071 or ehorchy@suncoastnews.com.

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