Breezers help PFC team reach State Cup finals
BY JASON THOMPSON Gulf Breeze News jason@gulfbreezenews.com

Photo courtesy of Deanna Smith State bound again The Pensacola Futbol Club's U17 team, the Lady Wolves, beat the IUS Elite Raptors 2-0 Sunday in Palm Bay to advance to the State Cup finals at the Pace Soccer Complex. They are (front, from left): Stephanie Glass, Kristin Sutton, Clarissa Hernandez, Jessica Oram and Amanda Green. Back: Coach David Kemp, Breezy Hupp, Jesse Vickrey, Alyssa Smith, Aubrey Curington, Rachel Cutts, Gabby Devries and Allison Werdung.

Going to state tournaments has become commonplace for members of the Gulf Breeze Lady Dolphin soccer team. But for a few of them, this time, they're doing so while being able to sleep in their own beds.

Aubrey Curington, Amanda Green, Alyssa Smith and Jesse Vickrey, who've helped the Lady Dolphins advance to state each of the last two years, helped a short-handed U17 Pensacola Futbol Lady Wolves advance to the finals of State Cup for the third time in the last four years.

The State Cup finals are at the Pace Soccer Complex.

"I can't say enough of these girls and how they played," PFC coach David Kemp said.

PFC beat Hobe Sound 6-0 in the round of 16 Saturday in Palm Bay as Breezy Hupp (Choctaw, FSU) scored twice. Curington had a goal and an assist, while Kristin Sutton (Tate, USA), Allison Verdung (Univ. of Mobile) and Clarissa Hernandez all scored once.

PFC then beat the IUS Elite Raptors 2-0 Sunday as Sutton scored both goals. The first goal was set up after Vickrey was taken down in the box. "That was the best game she's played all season," Kemp said of Vickrey, who's commited to Florida Atlantic.

In other State Cup news:

Jack Begley set up the gametying goal by Diego Figueroa for the Bayside U-16 boys, but Arsenal scored three unanswered goals in the first half to beat Bayside 5-1 in the round of 16.

GBHS sophomore Maggie Rodgers scored goals in both of First Coast Kyx Elite's matches over the weekend in U16 girls action, also at Palm Bay.

Rodgers had a goal and an assist in Kyx's 4-3, penalty kick shootout win over the Delray Beach Soccer Club Saturday. She also scored a goal in Kyx's 3-2, penalty kick shootout loss to the Space Coast United Storm Sunday.

PFC's girls play the Tampa Knights May 17 in the semifinals.