Lady Dolphins' season, shutout run ends in state semifinals
GBHS goes 60 minutes without a single shot, lose 2- 0 to Merritt Island
BY JASON THOMPSON Gulf Breeze News jason@gulfbreezenews.com

Photo courtesy of Deanna Smith Noelle Robles handles the ball as Merritt Island's Meredith Testa gives chase.

Sharon Kerby had a reason to smile last Wednesday - her team had done a good job of cleaning up their bench after the game.

The problem was that was the only thing she could smile about as the Lady Dolphins went 60 minutes without a single shot on goal and lost to Merritt Island 2-0 in the 4A state semifinals at Lockhart Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.

"They were a quick team, but I don't feel we stepped to the ball like we're use to," Kerby said. "We were waiting for the ball to come to us."

The loss ended GBHS' season at 18-7-1, while Merritt Island advanced to their second state title game in three years. As was the case in 2006, they lost to St. Augustine Nease in the final. The win marked Nease's fourth title in six years.

The Lady Dolphins had the momentum in the opening minutes, getting a corner kick in the first minute and sending a pair of crosses into the Merritt Island box in the second and third minutes.

Photo courtesy of Deanna Smith Alyssa Smith handles the ball in the state semifinals against Merritt Island.

But the flurry represented some of the best chances Gulf Breeze would have the entire game.

Merritt Island, the District 13 runners up, who'd beaten three straight district champions during the regional tournament, got in the Lady Dolphin third of the field in the fourth minute, but turned the ball over.

Amanda Green knocked a cross away in the fifth minute, with Alyssa Smith clearing away a rebound shot from Merritt Island. "She does a good job of getting the ball to our attackers and of course, keeping it out of the box," Kerby said of Smith, whose heading to Ole Miss in two years.

Merritt Island had five shots on goal by the first half water break. Two minutes later, they broke the scoreless tie.

Sophia Levensaler, one of only six seniors on the Merritt Island squad, sent a cross in from the left side. Keeper Ashley Collins had a thought to come off her line, but she stayed put.

The ball landed at the feet of Megan Stone, who buried it in the back of the net.

Photo courtesy of Deanna Smith Amanda Green (15) settles the ball.

The goal was the first allowed by the Lady Dolphins in 2008 - a span of seven matches and 624 total minutes.

Gulf Breeze had another corner kick in the 24th minute, but Jesse Vickrey's cross hit the outside of the net.

Vickrey went in as a forward a few minutes prior, while Aubrey Curington entered the match before the water break in the midfield. But regardless of the combinations on the field, the Lady Dolphins couldn't penetrate a Merritt Island defense that stepped in to every pass and broke up any momentum Gulf Breeze could put together.

Merritt Island added an insurance goal in the 35th minute in the most unusual of ways.

Senior Sadie McLean, dribbling down the left side, set a very high ball toward the goal. Collins leaped up to grab it, but lost the ball temporarily in the lights.

Before a GBHS defender could clear it away, it bounced twice into the net.

Merritt Island finished the half with an 11-0 shot advantage and a 2-0 lead.

Photo courtesy of Fed Barona Kristen Barona runs down a ball.

"We had some girls at the half saying 'we're not individuals, we're a team.' I was real impressed with that," Kerby said.

Jessica Majewski, the team's leading point scorer (18 goals, 20 assists), made a run in the open field, but missed a connecting pass to Kristen Barona in the in the 45th minute.

"I think the second half, we put some pressure on their defense and created a few opportunities," Kerby said.

The best of those opportunities came in the 60th minute. Barona played a ball up to Vickrey, who got past the last defender and was face to face with keeper Lauren Houston.

Vickrey couldn't get the ball onto her foot and when she did, Houston smothered the shot, the team's first of the game.

While the state trip was the second for most of the players, it was the first for Kerby.

"It's definitely been an awesome experience," she said.

Her senior class next year could one of the school's best in recent memory, but Kerby doesn't want to look ahead yet.

"This year's seniors are real special," she said. "We're look to next year next year - right now, I'm going to enjoy what I have."

This year's class included Robles, Collins, Brittany Pyle, Lindsey Arnett, Natalie Blair, Ashley Schermerhorn and Kathy Franklin. Photo courtesy of Deanna Smith Aubrey Curington (12) battles with MIHS' Stacey Steele.