Late goal lifts GB past Washington
BY JASON THOMPSON Gulf Breeze News jason@gulfbreezenews.com

Jason Thompson/Gulf Breeze News Soccer seniors From left: Ashley Collins, Lindsey Arnett, Natalie Blair, Ashley Schermerhorn, Noelle Robles, Brittany Pyle and Kathy Franklin were honored before Saturday's game with Washington.

On a day where the seniors from the Lady Dolphin soccer team were honored, it was a pair of underclassman that saved the day.

Sophomore Kristen Barona fielded a cross in traffic from junior Jessica Majewski. Barona was able to push it past Washington's Diana Manis with two minutes left to give Gulf Breeze a 1-0 win over the Lady Cats Saturday at Dolphin Stadium.

The win puts Gulf Breeze at 13- 6-1 heading into their regular season finale with Niceville Tuesday (after the News'deadline).

The six healthy seniors on the team got starting nods on Saturday - forward Natalie Blair, midfielder Noelle Robles, defenders Ashley Schermerhorn, Brittany Pyle and Lindsey Arnett and goalkeeper Ashley Collins. Goalkeeper Kathy Franklin has missed the last several weeks with a knee injury.

Robles and Majewski both had shots on net in the first two and a half minutes, but Manis was able to turn both away. Collins, who played in goal the entire match for Gulf Breeze, came off her line to deflect a Washington cross away in the 15th minute.

Jason Thompson/Gulf Breeze News Alyssa Smith dribbles the ball Saturday against Washington.

Collins didn't see much action (she had six saves) in part because of her defense, led by Pyle and junior Amanda Green. Pyle was called upon to mark Washington's best player, Florida Lady Gator-to-be Lindsey Williams.

Majewski had another run on Manis, flicking a ball far post that Barona couldn't get a foot on as it went out of bounds.

Aubrey Curington also contributed in the back and also made several strong runs down the right side of the field. A few minutes after the first half water break, Curington hit a shot that went over the crossbar by a couple of feet.

Maggie Rodgers set up a shot for Majewski in the 52nd minute that went wide of the left post. A few minutes later, a GBHS goal was nullified by an offsides call.

Jason Thompson/Gulf Breeze News Head coach Sharon Kerby and assistant Peter Stephens take in the action Saturday.

After the second half water break, Majewski, Rodgers and Robles all had shots on goal, but Manis turned them all away. Curington and Robles both had shots that hit the outside of the net.

One of Washington's best scoring chances came moments after the Barona goal. Williams took a free kick from about 30 yards out that sailed over the crossbar.

The win was Gulf Breeze's 11th of the season by shutout.

Lady Dolphin JV 5,

Washington 0

Morgan Floyd scored her 30th goal of the season and assisted on goals by Hannah Supelveda, Camila Sharp and Jenna Ceravolo as Gulf Breeze improved to 15-0-2 on the season.

Megan Eastburn added a penalty kick goal for the Lady Dolphins, who closed out the regular season Tuesday against Niceville.

The Lady Dolphins are the top seed in next week's District 1-4A Tournament at Brosnaham Park. PHS is second, followed by Washington and Navarre.