Dolphins celebrate stellar soccer year
BY JASON THOMPSON Gulf Breeze News jason@gulfbreezenews.com

Jason Thompson/Gulf Breeze News Lady Dolphin award winners Members of the GBHS Lady Dolphin varsity soccer team that won awards at last week's GBHS Soccer Awards Banquet are (from left): Kristi Lee, Anne Preston, Alyssa Smith, Noelle Robles, Katie Patterson and Kim Begley.

The Gulf Breeze High soccer program celebrated one of its best seasons in recent memory with their annual awards banquet March 7 at First Baptist Church in Gulf Breeze.

As the crowd enjoyed a catered meal courtesy of Carrabba's, they watched a video of highlights of the season, as well as musings from the program's 10 seniors (Kim Begley, Cory Gibson, Nik Hoskins, Eric Keasler, Kristi Lee, Johnny Miller, Clarke O'Connor, Katie Patterson, Ross Sakey and Chris Thomas).

Each of the program's four teams were then recognized individually, beginning with the junior varsity girls team.

Coach Erin Cosky's squad went 14-2-1 and won the season ending Navarre Tournament for the third consecutive year.

The banquet was the last for Cosky, who along with her husband are moving to Detroit in the next couple of months.

Next up was Eric Miles and his varsity girls squad.

"These girls are absolutely awesome," Miles said of his team that went 24-5-3 and made it to the 4A state championship game. They're also winners in the classroom as well - as they were named an NSCAA Academic All-American team with a 3.73 grade point average.

Lee was named the team's Defensive Most Valuable Player, while Alyssa Smith was the overall Most Valuable Player. Patterson was the Coaches Award winner, while Begley won the Golden Boot for being the team's leading scorer.

Academic award winners went to freshman Anne Preston, sophomore Smith, juniors Ashley Schermerhorn and Noelle Robles and senior Patterson.

Bobby Parrish and his junior varsity boys team were next. His team went 15-2 this season. Steven Vernali (freshman) and Daniel Shull (sophomore) were his Academic Award winners.

Bruce Savage's varsity boys rounded out the program. His team went 20-3-6 and advanced to the regional final, the farthest his team has been since 2003. "We had great senior leadership," Savage said.

Tommy Gibble (junior) and Keasler were his Academic Award winners.

Gibson's 33 goals tied a school record for most in a season, while Miller's 15 shutouts in goal (tied) and 27 career shutouts (led) are new school records.