Plant found itself in an all-too-familiar situation in the final of the Sarasota Holiday Tournament. As in the season-opening Wharton Invitational final, the Panthers were tied after overtime and headed to penalty kicks.
However, unlike against Newsome, the Panthers came out on the winning side as keeper Lauryn Bodden made two big stops and Plant (16-1-1) defeated St. Petersburg Catholic (12-3-2) to win the Elite bracket, 1-0 (4-3 on penalty kicks).
"We just didn't want to go to the finals only to lose," Bodden said. "After losing in PKs to Newsome - that was never going to happen again."
The match was physical, with Plant getting most of the chances, but an imposing Barons team kept the Panthers from putting it into net.
Bodden's saves in penalty kicks set up the win, and Panthers Ellen Moore, Connor Zwetsch, Molly Ganther and Amy Werdine all got shots past Maggie Dalessio.
The win capped a solid week for the Panthers, who beat Newsome early in the week and got tournament wins against Tampa Prep, Berkeley Prep and East Bay.
"This was the best Christmas gift ever," Plant coach Stephen McGill said. "We got to play the three big Hillsborough teams we never get to play, and to have those girls get to hold that trophy after the hard work they have put in is a great way to start the holidays."
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