Creekside, Bartram Trail set up rematch for regional crown
It’s rematch time.
With two goals from central midfielder Lily Pierce and resolute defense throughout a second-half bombardment, Creekside topped Lake Mary 3-2 in Friday night’s Florida High School Athletic Association girls soccer regional semifinals.
The Knights’ reward: A Wednesday night visit to Longleaf Pine Parkway rival Bartram Trail, the teams’ third meeting this year.
“We were staying composed and keeping our shape, staying together as a team, not getting lost in all the chaos,” Pierce said.
Creekside snatched a two-goal first-half lead when Pierce tapped home a Sarah Weisberg corner, then Samantha Colvin finished another minutes later.
After Lindsay Sheets exploited an unsuccessful offside trap to put Lake Mary on the board, Creekside’s unlikely scorer struck again. Pierce, who scored only three regular-season goals, added a third just before halftime when she poked home a cross that was bobbled by Lake Mary keeper Laura Walker.
But the Knights (13-1-2) had to endure heavy pressure from the formerly-unbeaten Rams, who drew within one goal on Brooke Susi’s penalty kick midway through the second half.
Creekside, which had to go all the way to a penalty tiebreaker against Lake Mary, made sure the Rams (151-4) couldn’t get revenge this time.
“Not only are they undefeated, but they were definitely out for us,” Pierce said. “So combating that among the whole [playoff] environment, it was definitely a big challenge.”
Reigning state champion Bartram Trail also advanced against unbeaten opposition, winning 2-0 against Oviedo Hagerty (14-1-3).
Carolyn Johnson scored off a Brooke Gosse assist for the opening goal for the Bears (16-4-1), then set up Ali Fletcher for the clincher. Wednesday’s game at Bear Stadium will match the last four state champions at the large-school class, with Bartram Trail winning in 2020, 2021 and 2023.
REGION 1-6A
The Battle of the Bridge is coming back.
No. 1 Ponte Vedra exploded for four first-half goals, two by sophomore Lily Morse, for a 5-0 win over visiting Tallahassee Chiles (12-5-3).
Jenny Dearie scored twice and Hadley Conway added another goal for the Sharks (19-1-1), ranked first In Florida by the United Soccer Coaches.
The Sharks will play Wednesday against Nease, which stunned host Niceville 5-4 on penalty kicks after regulation and extra time concluded 0-0. Nease (13-3-3) previously beat Navarre in extra time last week.
Isabel Bostic smashed the deciding penalty in the shootout for the Panthers against second-seeded Niceville (15-3-4).
REGION 1-5A
For the first time in 23 years, Clay (14-2-1) is going to the final eight.
Brooke Bunton scored her second goal of the game in extra time to knock out host Beachside, 4-3. The Blue Devils travel Wednesday to Tallahassee Lincoln.
Clay seized a 3-1 first-half advantage, including goals by Faith Espino and Danica Nguyen, before the Barracudas (11-6-2) scored twice in rapid succession. Midfielder Ayla Kiziltas tied the game 3-3 in the second half to force the extra session.