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Another shutout, another title
learning a new system, new coaches, players accepting new roles), it ended the way as the previous 10 seasons before them with a district championship. Sophomore Kristen Barona's goal 18 minutes into the match was the difference as the Lady Dolphins edged Washington 1-0 for their 16th district title in the last 17 years Friday at Brosnaham Park. "I hope so," said coach Sharon Kerby on whether her team's getting close to peaking. "We're just taking it one game at a time. We just need to work on getting the ball in the back of the net." The Lady Dolphins (15-6-1) host Arnold in a Region 1-4A Quarterfinal match tonight at 7 p.m. The Lady Marlins lost 1-0 to Bay in penalty kicks in the 2-4A final Friday (6-5 in PKs). Gulf Breeze has beaten Arnold the last two years in the regional quarterfinals (by a combined score of 12-0) and have won their last 10 regional quarterfinals matches, dating back to 1998.
Lady Dolphins 1,Washington 0 Washington (15-5-4), who play at Bay tonight in another regional quarterfinal, almost took advantage of a Gulf Breeze miscue in the game's opening minutes. Goalkeeper Ashley Collins tried to play a ball to a Dolphin defender, but it was stolen near the 18-yard box. But the Washington player, possibly surprised at the gift she had just received, couldn't wind up and fire a good shot on Collins. The play was one of the few times Collins touched the ball in the first half as the Lady Dolphins quickly seized the momentum.
A cross from Vickrey was one-touched by Barona wide of the post in the 11th minute - so the next time, Barona would take care of it herself. She stole a ball, made about a 35 yard run wide to the right. She then threaded a slow roller to Washington keeper Diana Manis' right, who dove but couldn't stop it. The ball kept rolling until it snuck in behind the far post into the side of the net. Manis touched the ball about a dozen times in the first half, with several other sailing wide or high of the goal. Aubrey Curington, who played 62 out of 80 minutes off the bench, sent several balls into the box in the second half that led to shots on goal. The first of the three was headed by Vickrey wide of the goal. Afree kick from Curington was bobbled by Manis, who recovered it before it could be followed up on. Collins, along with the trio of defenders of Brittany Pyle, Amanda Green and Brynne Heatley, were pressed hard over the final 15 minutes, but Washington wasn't able to get a shot on goal. Heatley and Green both cleared out dangerous balls in that stretch, while Pyle, for the second time in less than a month, got defensive duty on Florida signee Lindsey Williams. Midfielders Noelle Robles and Alyssa Smith also went the 'full 80,' while Takacs and Jessica Majewski played 70- plus minutes, while Barona, Vickrey and Curington all played 60-plus minutes. The game was the eighth straight between Gulf Breeze and Washington that's been decided by one goal. GBHS has won six of those eight. The game was also the third district title win for Gulf Breeze in the last four years decided by a 1-0 score. It's also the fourth straight year an underclassman was credited with the gamewinning goal. Freshman Noelle Robles gave Gulf Breeze a 1-0 win in the '05 final against Bay, while freshman Jessica Majewski gave the Lady Dolphins a 1-0 win over Washington in the '06 final. Last year, sophomore Aubrey Curington had the game-winning goal in a 5-0 win over Washington. Tonight's game marks the 17th straight year Gulf Breeze has been in the postseason - the fourth longest such streak statewide behind St. Thomas Aquinas (23), Jacksonville Bolles and Clearwater Central Catholic (18 each). Lady Dolphins 4, Navarre 0 Gulf Breeze, playing former teammate Anne Preston for the first time she since transferred to Navarre halfway through the season, put up four first half goals to beat the Lady Raiders for the third time this season. The game was a reunion for many GBHS and Navarre players. Navarre's Alex Frymark, Alex Herman, Preston, Madison Rodwell, Jennifer Rutledge, Samantha Slaybaugh and Jenny Wells (who played at GBHS last season) play for Bayside with Barona, Megan Eastburn, Heatley, Brittny Hebert, Carly Loehr and Takacs - which is coached by GBHS assistant coach Peter Stephens. Navarre's Alyxandra Aldrich and Gabby DeVries play at PFC (Pensacola Futbol Club) with Curington, Green, Majewski, Robles, Smith and Vickrey - coached by PHS head coach Mike Lagow. DeVries and Vickrey will be reunited in two years (DeVries is currently a senior, Vickrey a junior) at Florida Atlantic University. Like the Washington match, it was the opposition who had the first real scoring chance. Navarre had a corner kick in the second minute, but couldn't get a shot on goal. Five minutes later, the Lady Dolphins took a 1-0 lead off a corner kick of their own. Majewski took the corner kick and Maggie Rodgers got enough of the ball to redirect it into the back of the net. Rodgers was shaken up on the play, but would return a few minutes later. Rodgers would return the favor to Majewski, who scored in the 17th minute to make it 2-0. The pair would team up a third time three minutes later, as Rodgers took a pass from Majewski, made a 30-yard run and pushed the ball low and to the right of Preston to make it 3-0. A cross from Slaybaugh that couldn't be connected on was Navarre's best chance between the water break and halftime. Rodgers, looking for the hat trick, was taken down in the box in the final minutes of the first half. Green made her fourth penalty kick (in as many chances) to round out the scoring. Gulf Breeze needed a step in by Pyle to stop a run from Slaybaugh and a diving stop from Collins off a DeVries free kick in the second half to preserve the shutout. The same five that went 80 minutes against Washington did the same against Navarre. Takacs and Rodgers both played 70-plus, while Majewski played 60-plus. |
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