Girls soccer: Region semifinals previews

ALL GAMES FRIDAY AT 7

4A-2: STEINBRENNER AT LAKELAND JENKINS

The Warriors (16-3-2) defeated Bartow 8-0 in the quarterfinals, as Cici Gonzalez had four goals. With seniors Gonzalez and Taylor Valley (seven goals in her last four matches) scoring at will lately and a solid defense anchored by Miranda Gonzalez and goalkeeper Stephanie Hirsch, the reigning 4A state champions are peaking at the right time. However, they face a tough challenge against Lakeland Jenkins, the No. 1-ranked team in the state. Jenkins (23-0) defeated Freedom 4-0, with a pair of goals from Ashley Lopez and a goal and an assist from Florida State commitment Tori Abnathy. The Eagles’ eight seniors have reached the state finals, state semifinals and the region finals (losing last season to 5A state finalist Newsome) during the past four seasons.

4A-3: SEMINOLE AT PLANT CITY 

Raiders forward Ashley Copen scored three times to lift Plant City to a 3-1 region quarterfinal win against Tarpon Springs. It was a nice showing for Copen, who missed last season with an ACL injury. Plant City (12-4-1) is a young team on offense but has an experienced defense including senior Kayla Consolver. The offense has had a balanced attack, with scoring chances coming from both its forwards and midfielders. Seminole (14-4-2) has a tremendous defense that limited East Bay to three shots on goal in a 1-0 win in the quarterfinals. The key for Seminole in this match may come down to the health of the team’s on-field leader and South Florida commit,emt Gina Hayduke. The senior left Tuesday’s match with a right knee injury after colliding with East Bay keeper Dominique DeLuca late in the first half.

3A-2: MITCHELL AT RIVER RIDGE

Familiar rivals meet for the fourth and final time this season. Mitchell (20-2-3) has won two of the previous meetings, but River Ridge (17-4-1) won the last meeting (2-1 on PKs in the district final). Mitchell defeated Land O’ Lakes 2-1 in the region quarterfinals, while River Ridge stopped Wesley Chapel 3-0.

3A-3: OSCEOLA AT ROBINSON

Robinson (13-5-1) has been recording firsts behind four double-digit scorers this season. Earning the school’s first district title and a first win in the region tournament, Robinson will next have to take on a tough Osceola team. Senior Charlotte Rothschild has been a leader all season for the Knights. Rothschild has 16 goals, including seven in the team’s last four matches, and 18 assists. Rothschild’s sister, Claire, a sophomore with seven goals on the season, joined her sister in the scoring on Tuesday to lift the Knights to a 2-0 win against Palmetto. Osceola (15-3) freshman Cassidy Reich scored a goal in the Warriors’ district final win and had a hat trick as her team made quick work of King, 8-0 in the region quarterfinals.

1A-2: ST. STEPHEN'S AT TAMPA PREP

Tampa Prep (17-1-4) senior Colby Maffei scored a 76th-minute goal in Tuesday’s 4-1 region quarterfinal win against Shorecrest Prep to reach 50 goals for the season. Despite her 166 career goals, the Mississippi State commitment and the rest of the Terrapins will have to contend with a tough St. Stephen’s team. The Falcons aren’t strangers to Tampa Prep, as the Terrapins have ended St. Stephen’s season each of the last four seasons. St. Stephen’s (13-5-2) blanked Bishop McLaughlin 8-0 in the region quarterfinals behind four goals from junior Hannah Howell.