Girls soccer: District preview

Class 6A-District 8

WHERE: Bloomingdale

WHO: Alonso, Bloomingdale, Brandon, Plant, Wharton

OUTLOOK: There is a sports cliche about how difficult it is to beat a good team three times in a season. Odds are that is what Plant (18-1-1) will have do when it likely faces off against Bloomingdale (12-4-3) in the 6A-8 final.

The Panthers have separated themselves as Hillsborough County's best, defeating eight teams, seeded either No. 1 or 2 in this week's area district tournaments, during the season. Plant relies on its tough midfield led by Ellen Moore and Molly Ganther to set up scorers Connor Zwetsch (13 goals), Caroline Bado (13 goals) and Kaitlyn Steckel (10 goals).

Bloomingdale as usual seems to be getting it all together at the right time to start the playoffs. The Bulls have a lot of speed up top in senior forward Kara Buono along with a solid group of seniors with Jordan Johnson and Nikki Peet leading the midfield and Meghan Lanteigne heading the defense.

OUR PICK: Plant

Class 5A-District 8

WHERE: East Bay

WHO: Armwood, Durant, East Bay, Newsome, Plant City, Riverview, Tampa Bay Tech

OUTLOOK: The Wolves and East Bay have a real score to settle in this district and odds are that settling may come in this district final. Both teams handled their business against the rest of the district during the regular season except for a 2-2 tie against each other at East Bay on Dec. 8.

East Bay's move into 5A-8 this season provided the back story to the two teams' first district match, but it certainly wasn't a meeting of strangers as Newsome and East Bay have tied three of the last four seasons during the regular season.

The Wolves are relatively young but certainly skilled led by leading scorer junior Karina Gutsche, who returns to the team after playing for Florida's Olympic Development Program side this past weekend. The team also relies heavily on its midfield and its set pieces from sophomore Caroline Evers.

The Indians have a talented tandem at forward in senior Delaney Poli and Brittany Cox. Cox is a pure scorer, who forces teams to focus on her, often leaving Poli set up for crosses and clear looks at the net. The Indians also get a big lift from their last line of defense in senior goalkeeper Andrea Owens.

OUR PICK: Newsome

Class 5A-District 9

WHERE: Leto

WHO: Chamberlain, Freedom, Gaither, Hillsborough, King, Leto, Sickles

OUTLOOK: This is a tight bracket with Freedom, Gaither and No. 1 seed Hillsborough all very evenly matched. The Terriers notched 1-0 wins against Freedom and Gaither early in the season, but both teams have steadily improved.

Hillsborough has the first-round bye and should await the winner of the potential Gaither/Freedom semifinal Wednesday night at 8.

OUR PICK: Freedom

Class 4A-District 9

WHERE: Spoto

WHO: Blake, Jefferson, Lennard, Robinson, Spoto, Steinbrenner, Strawberry Crest

OUTLOOK: Steinbrenner dominated this district in the regular season, shutting out every team except for allowing one goal to Robinson on a penalty kick. The Warriors posted a 14-0-2 record in the team's first season of play led by the scoring of forward Cici Gonzalez, Alexis Bredeau and Taylor Valley. Steinbrenner is the clear favorite in this district outscoring its district opponents 56-1 this season.

OUR PICK: Steinbrenner

Class 3A-District 10

WHERE: St. Petersburg Catholic

WHO: Berkeley Prep, Clearwater Central Catholic, Holy Names, St. Petersburg Catholic, Tampa Catholic

OUTLOOK: Berkeley Prep won its Dec. 12 match against St. Petersburg Catholic 2-1 earning the top seed. The Buccaneers have a number of weapons all over the field. Leading scorer Taylor Richardson has 18 goals despite usually lining up as a defender while Sam Newhaller and Amber Famiglietti are also good scorers and goalkeeper Bryane Heaberlin is a U.S. Under-17 international.

OUR PICK: Berkeley Prep

Class 2A-District 9

WHERE: Tampa Prep

WHO: Bishop McLaughlin, Calvary Christian, Carrollwood Day, Indian Rocks Christian, Tampa Prep

OUTLOOK: The Terrapins are once again the clear favorite with county top scorer sophomore forward Colby Maffei (32 goals) leading Tampa Prep against a group of teams it outscored 32-3 in regular-season matches.

OUR PICK: Tampa Prep

Class 2A-District 8

WHERE: Winter Haven All Saints'

WHO: Lakeland Christian, Lakeland Santa Fe Catholic, Seffner Christian, All Saints'

Class 2A-District 10

WHERE: Shorecrest Prep

WHO: Bradenton Christian, Cambridge, Keswick Christian, Northside Christian, Sarasota Out-of-Door, Bradenton St. Stephen's, Shorecrest Prep