Girls soccer roundup: Strawberry Crest reaches final

The Strawberry Crest High girls soccer team earned the school its first region playoff berth Thursday night by defeating Robinson,1-0, in the Class 4A-District 9 semifinals.

Last year, Strawberry Crest's season ended with a district semifinal loss to Robinson, and a late-season 3-0 loss to the Knights a few weeks ago had the Chargers a little hesitant entering the match, according to Samantha Buterbaugh.

Buterbaugh struck late in the first half on a lobbed volley over the head of Robinson keeper Ava Dillman.

"I was confident in our team, but at no time did we ever sit back and think we've got this win," Buterbaugh said

The Chargers have a steep challenge in the finals, as Strawberry Crest will face defending district champion Steinbrenner.

Host Steinbrenner defeated Jefferson, 8-0, in the other district semifinal ending the game early in the second half.

The Warriors steadily peppered the box and were spurred by seven first-half goals, including three in the half's final two minutes. Eule finished with three goals, while Cici Gonzalez and Lauren Garris each had two.

Jarrett Guthrie

4A-7: Gulf, Mitchell will meet again

NEW PORT RICHEY After Gulf's 2-0 win against Hudson and Mitchell's dominating 5-0 victory against Pasco, the two will meet for the third time tonight in the 4A-7 final.

"I've said all season this is a pretty good team, and we'll take a shot at Mitchell (tonight)," said Gulf coach Shari Schau. "That's what they wanted."

Gulf is in the district final for the first time since 1996 and split the regular-season meetings with the Mustangs.

But Mitchell coach Karl Kukec feels home-field advantage in the regions is very important.

"A couple years ago we had to travel to Melbourne for the region finals and lost 1-0," Kukec said. "It makes a big difference - even in local matches."

Gulf (17-1-1) missed a chance to take the lead in the 22nd minute when the Buccaneers' Catie Greene was knocked to the ground by Hudson keeper Cheye-anne Savage. Dominique Cirnigliaro replaced Savage in the net after Savage was given a yellow card, and she saved the penalty shot by Dani Schulman.

Gulf finally got the goal it was looking for when Hannah Foster converted a perfect pass from her sister, Chelsea, in the 36th minute. Brianna Rossi scored the other Gulf goal in the 54th minute.

Mitchell (18-2-1) got two goals from Arielle Anahory and scored four times in the first 17 minutes to advance to the regions for the sixth time since 2003. Mitchell outshot Pasco 30-1, with Pirates keeper Jordan Freese recording 22 saves.

Rick Harmon

4A-8: River Ridge, Wiregrass move on

LAND O'LAKES For the sixth straight season, No. 1 seed River Ridge advanced to the Class 4A-District 8 final, this time knocking off Nature Coast, 3-0.

In the earlier semifinal, Wiregrass Ranch advanced to its first district final in program history with a 3-1 win over Lecanto.

River Ridge, the five-time defending district champ, was led by leading scorer Jenny Karl, who picked up her county-high 43rd goal of the season.

River Ridge (20-2-2) got a goal from Laura Cason in the 22nd minute, and Karl scored in the 48th. The Royal Knights added their third goal with less than 2 minutes left when Taylor Antioco put away her third goal of the season.

Wiregrass Ranch (20-2-2) took an early lead in the 15th minute when a Christina Wojaczyk corner kick went of a Panthers player for an own goal.

With the game tied, Wiregrass took the lead in the 42nd minute on Sierra Monday's seventh goal of the season. Just 4 minutes later, leading scorer A.J. Blount recorded her team-high 36th goal.

Mike Camunas

2A-8: Seffner Chr. falls

LAKELAND Lakeland Santa Fe Catholic took control of the game early with a relentless attack en route to an 8-0 victory against Seffner Christian in the Class 2A-District 8 semifinals. The game was called with 4 minutes remaining due to the mercy rule.

Just 4 minutes into the game, Hawks senior forward Grace McHugh hit a solid strike into the left corner of the net to give Santa Fe the early advantage.

McHugh would score her second goal of the night on a 30-yard blast that sailed straight over Seffner Christian keeper Kaili Melanson to give the Hawks a 3-0 lead going into the half.

The Crusaders managed one shot on goal the entire game against the Hawks.

Jeff Jones

2A-9: Tampa Prep, McLaughlin advance

LARGO Tampa Prep and Bishop McLaughlin each qualified for a region quarterfinal berth and will face each other for the Class 2A-District 9 title tonight as each team posted semifinal shutouts.

Bishop McLaughlin defeated host Indian Rocks Christian, 5-0, and Tampa Prep beat Carrollwood Day, 6-0, with all six goals coming in the second half.

"We beat them, 8-0, just a couple of weeks ago and we took them for granted,'' Tampa Prep coach Cindy Schofield said. "They came out fired up and we didn't.''
Colby Maffei came to the rescue. She scored three goals in the second half and Tampa Prep's defense did not allow Carrollwood a shot on goal the entire game.

"Just because we have Tampa Prep on our jerseys does not mean we will be district champs,'' Maffei said. "The seniors were upset. It hit them at halftime that if we didn't score, their high school careers are over.''

Spencer Valdespino and Corrie Bexley each had a pair of goals for the Hurricanes in their win over Indian Rocks Christian.

Lee Diekemper

2A-10: Cambridge out

ST. PETERSBURG Top-seeded Bradenton St. Stephen's advanced to the Class 2A-District 10 championship with a 4-0 victory against Cambridge Christian.

The Falcons will meet Shorecrest Prep tonight in the final.

Despite the loss, the Lancers showed marked improvement this time against St. Stephen's.

"They mercy-ruled us last time," Cambridge keeper Keaton Groves said.

"It was a great game."

Robert Baynard