Girls soccer roundup: Maffei's scores 3 to lead Terps

The goals for Tampa Prep sophomore Colby Maffei are adding up at an alarming rate, at least when it comes from the perspective of the Terrapins' opponents.

In Thursday's region quarterfinal, Tampa Prep defeated Shorecrest 3-0 with Maffei scoring all three - in the 12th, 25th and 67th minutes.

That makes 10 for Maffei in this season's three playoff games (two district, one regional) and 40 for the season, in which Tampa Prep holds a 15-5-4 record.

Tampa Prep coach Cindy Schofield said the Terrapins defense may have gotten even better in recent games because of a few position switches, including Amber Miller moving to the back line.

"(Miller) has moved around a little bit, but she knows how to play well in a lot of different positions," Schofield said. "It's great to have that (option)."

Scott Purks

3A-Region 3

BERKELEY PREP 8

FROSTPROOF 0

It took host Berkeley Prep a few minutes to get in gear but once it did, the goals came at a steady pace as the Buccaneers produced an 8-0 rout of Frostproof in a region quarterfinal match that ended at halftime due to the mercy rule.

The victory propels Berkeley (18-4-2) into Tuesday's regional semifinals, where it will host district-rival Clearwater Central Catholic.

"In a (playoff) tournament, you have to respect every opponent because anything can happen," said Bucs veteran coach Ken Roberts. "It still took us 20 minutes to get things going."

Maybe it took Berkeley that long to find its rhythm, but it found the net just eight minutes into the match. That came when senior midfielder Megan Williams took a ball from teammate Amber Famiglietti and slotted a shot to the far post past Frostproof goalie Lini Hurst.

Bill Ward

4A-Region 3

LAKEWOOD RANCH 9,

ROBINSON 1

BRADENTON - Robinson's first appearance in the region tournament ended in a loss to Bradenton Lakewood Ranch (17-0-2).

"We're making strides," Billy Helms, the Knights' first-year coach, said after the loss. "This was our first trip to the dance. It's a memorable one and something to build on. What we've done is build expectations."

The Knights (7-8) lose seven seniors, including five starters, but will return a squad next season comprised of mostly sophomores and juniors who have tasted success.

Kaylee Cunningham, who scored Thursday with an assist from Katherine King, said the Knights' first trip to the region might not have produced a trophy, but produced something more significant - the birth of a winning program.

"I think this means we achieved something," she said. "We used to be the underdog. Now we're at regional."

Roger Mooney

STEINBRENNER 4

PALMETTO 2

Steinbrenner held on to defeat Palmetto as Warriors' leading scorer CiCi Gonzalez scored her second goal of the game with 11:41 to play, sealing the win.

Steinbrenner (18-0-2) opened a 3-0 lead in the first 20 minutes. Freshman Kelsey Huntzinger opened scoring off the double assist from Gonzalez and Lauren Laughlin in only 90 seconds. Sophomore Taylor Valley's header was followed by Gonzalez's first goal.

"We came out on fire," Steinbrenner coach Teresa Patterson said. "We scored in the first 30 seconds it felt like, then maybe showed a bit of, lost our composure a bit because we hadn't been tested in the back."

Palmetto took its first shot on goal with just over 11 minutes remaining before the break, then scored twice in the closing minutes of the first half to trail by one. Senior Sarah Mathews scored first for Palmetto (13-6-3), then Megan Peterson scored with more than four minutes on the clock.

"When they came back with two goals, everyone got a little flustered," Gonzalez said. "We were just kicking it and not playing our best, not playing to our level - we dropped down."

Andee Sears