Lady Dolphins harpoon Marlins in regional opener
Mercy rule win the only one in all of Class 4A Thursday
BY JASON THOMPSON Gulf Breeze News jason@gulfbreezenews.com

Photo courtesy of Deanna Smith Noelle Robles had two goals and one assist in the Lady Dolphins' 8-0 win Thursday.

Kim Begley scored two goals and had three assists to lead the Lady Dolphins to an 8-0 win over Arnold in a Region 1-4A Quarterfinal match Thursday at Dolphin Stadium.

The win for the Lady Dolphins (21- 4-1) was the only mercy rule win in Class 4A and one of only six statewide in all classifications. It also marked the 13th consecutive year the Lady Dolphins have won their first round match, as well as extending their consecutive shutout minute streak to 258.

"It's just what I said in our pregame talk - every touch, going forward," head coach Eric Miles said. "I was pleased with the pace we played with. I was disappointed in a couple of our finishes, but overall, we played really, really well."

The Lady Dolphins dominated play from start to finish, getting a corner kick only 30 seconds into the match. They didn't score on that chance, but four minutes later, cracked the scoring column when Begley took a pass from Alyssa Smith and made a long run up the middle and scored.

Jessica Majewski, who only two minutes later pushed a shot wide right, put on in the back of the net in the ninth minute - but not before it hit off the right post. Noelle Robles was credited with the assist.

The score remained 2-0 to the mandatory water break. Maggie Rodgers scored in the 25th minute to make it 3- 0. Begley had the assist before scoring her second goal of the match a minute later off a free kick. The shot richocheted in off the crossbar.

Robles made it 5-0 in the 32nd minute, putting away a pass from Rodgers. Rodgers executed a perfect give and go with Begley in the 38th minute for her second goal and a 6-0 lead.

Majewski's second goal of the game came in the final minute of the first half, scoring a low line drive shot off a pass from Begley.

Kristi Lee's pass to Robles led to the game's final goal three minutes into the second half.

Anne Preston had two saves in the first half, while Kathy Franklin had no saves in her three minutes of action.

Gulf Breeze had 17 shots on the goal in the win.

The Lady Dolphins took on Jacksonville Paxon in a regional semifinal match Tuesday night. Gulf Breeze needed overtime to beat Paxon 2-1 in last year's regional semi.

A possible rematch of last year's regional final could take place Friday at Dolphin Stadium if Washington beats Bishop Kenney in the other Region 1-4A semifinal. Otherwise, Gulf Breeze, with a win Tuesday, will have to travel to Jacksonville.

The Lady Dolphins won at Bishop Kenney four years ago to clinch their last state tournament berth.