Steinbrenner wins girls soccer state title

For the Steinbrenner girls soccer team's three seniors, their final high school game couldn't have ended more perfectly.

Carly Keene's header seven minutes into overtime from Lauren Laughlin's long throw-in was the golden goal for the Warriors, earning the school's first state championship with a 2-1 victory against defending Class 4A champion Merritt Island on Saturday afternoon at Pepin Stadium.

"It feels amazing," Keene said. "It's everything we wanted."

The Warriors' other senior, Marissa Maries, had opening the scoring in the 16th minute, heading home from 10 yards out after excellent work on the right by Danielle Eule to create herself room to deliver a cross. The Warriors could have extended their lead before halftime, but Merritt Island goalkeeper Sydney Drinkwater made an excellent save to deny Cici Gonzalez after she was played in by Alexis Bredeau in the 32nd minute.

But the momentum swung the Mustangs' way in the final minute of the first half. A quickly taken free kick caught the Warriors off guard and while goalkeeper Stephanie Hirsch was able to make the first save, Kirstie Schults was on hand to fire in the rebound with 13 seconds remaining before the break.

"Some of us put our heads down," Hirsch said, "but during the halftime talk (Coach Teresa Patterson) was just like, 'You need to pick your heads up now. You've been in worse situations than this and we can do this.'"

The goal lifted the Mustangs, and playing with the wind in the second half they were able to pin the Warriors back in their own half and control the bulk of the play. But the Warriors' defense and central midfield of Keene and Nicole Hollifield held firm, the only major moment of nervousness coming in the 69th minute when Hirsch mishandled a through-ball that the Warriors were able to launch away to safety.

As the game went to overtime, though, it appeared the Mustangs were in control. But then Steinbrenner managed to find another gear. A spell of good pressure led to a pair of corners, and then a throw-in from the left. Laughlin launched a flip-throw into the penalty area, somersaulting with the ball to give it extra impetus and loft. Her throw found Keene perfectly 12 yards from goal, and a quick flick of her head started the Warriors' celebration.

"I was trying to find Carly's head," Laughlin said. "She's the tallest player out there. I was looking for her."

For Patterson, the way her side responded to wrest control back from the Mustangs in overtime was emblematic of the way they had played throughout the season.

"I've seen them respond in every situation," Patterson said. "That's what I told them at halftime. I go, 'You've been down a goal and come back and won games, you've had a game tied with 30 seconds left and won it, you've been in every situation and found a way to win. You're the most resilient group I've ever coached, go make it work.'"

Keene made sure they did.