By: Ross Van De Griek
We have reached the state championships in Boys & Girls Soccer, across the state of Florida. Three teams from the Tampa Bay area, will have their chance to compete for a state title this week. We will be breaking down all 12 soccer state title games that will be taking place starting tomorrow at Spec Martin Municipal Stadium in DeLand, Florida (On the Campus of Stetson University)
CLASS 2A: Shorecrest Prep (14-3-2) vs St. John's Country Day (23-1), Wednesday @ 1pm
It is new school versus old school, to lead off the 2020 FHSAA Girls Soccer state championships, as the Shorecrest Prep Lady Chargers will be making their first state championship game appearance in school history. The Lady Chargers defeated Bradenton Christian (8-0), Out-of-Door Academy (3-0), Canterbury (Fort Myers) (2-0) & Westminster Academy (3-1) to get to the state championship game.
On the other hand, the St. John's Country Day Spartans come into the state championship game, on a 20-game winning streak. The Lady Spartans are seeking their ninth straight state title, which would extend the FHSAA record for most consecutive state titles. Players to watch for St. John's Country Day: Mia Sadler (Southern Miss commit) (12 goals, 6 assists), Paige Crews (10 goals, 10 assists) & Julia Boaventura (15 goals, 7 assists). St. John's Country Day defeated Christ's Church Academy (8-0), St. Joseph's Academy (Forfeit), Maclay (4-0) & International Community (4-0) to get to the state championship game.
CLASS 3A: Bolles (22-6) vs Carrollton School of Miami (16-2), Wednesday @ 4pm
The Bolles Bulldogs are in the state championship game, for the third straight season (Won previous 2 state titles). The Lady Bulldogs are led by Auburn commit Olivia Candelino, who has scored 41 goals this season. Another name to keep an eye on, will be junior Isabel Kimberly (18 goals, 12 assists). Bolles is seeking their 9th girls soccer state title, where they are currently in 3rd for most in FHSAA hisory (St. Thomas Aquinas- 15 & American Heritage-Plantation with 10).
The Carrollton School Cyclones are in the state championship game, for the first time in school history. The Lady Cyclones are led by senior Natalia Hoadley, who leads the team with 16 goals scored on the season. The Lady Cyclones also come into play, as the #5 ranked team in the nation, according to MaxPreps.
CLASS 4A: Bishop Kenny (15-4-2) vs Cardinal Gibbons (18-3-2), Wednesday @ 7pm
The Bishop Kenny Crusaders are making their first state championship game appearance in school history, as they come into play on a seven-game winning streak. The Lady Crusaders are led by senior goalkeeper Sophie Hefner (Wofford signee), senior forward Chloe Iuliano (Mississippi State signee) & sophomore Mackenna Gregory, who has scored a team-high 19 goals this season.
Cardinal Gibbons is making the state championship game for the second consecutive year, as they come into play on a nine-game winning streak. The Lady Chiefs are led by 20th year head coach Margo Flack (311-112-51 career record). The Lady Chiefs are led by junior Maddie Young (Florida commit), sophomore Sydney Polivka & junior Madison Rivard. The Lady Chiefs have won four straight district championships for the first time in school history.
CLASS 5A: Ponte Vedra (16-5-4) vs Archbishop McCarthy (21-1-2), Friday @ 1pm
The Ponte Vedra Lady Sharks are back in the state championship game, for the first time in four years & are nationally ranked (#14), according to MaxPreps. The Lady Sharks are seeking their third state championship in school history (2009 & 2012). Ponte Vedra defeated Choctawhatchee (2-1), Gulf Breeze (1-0, 5-4 in PK's), Jacksonville Stanton (1-0) & Land O'Lakes (2-0) to get to the state championship game.
The Archbishop McCarthy Mavericks are making their second state championship game appearance in school history, after finishing state runner-up a year ago. The Lady Mavericks are led by 10th year head coach Mike Sica (200-39 career record). Players to watch for Archbishop McCarthy: senior Jordyn Pitter (UCF signee), junior Liliana Katz (16 goals, 6 assists) & sophomore Sophia Goetz (14 goals, 6 assists). The Lady Mavericks also have won three straight regional titles for the first time in school history.
CLASS 6A: Venice (15-3-2) vs Lourdes Academy (17-2-1), Friday @ 4pm
The Venice Lady Indians are making their first appearance to the state championship game in school history & are currently on a six-game winning streak. Venice defeated Largo (5-2), East Lake (7-0), St. Petersburg (1-0) & Creekside (1-0) to get to the state championship game. The Lady Indians are led by senior Mason Schilling (21 goals, 11 assists), senior Katherine Jordan (Columbia signee) (17 goals, 14 assists) & junior Rachel Dalton (6 goals, 14 assists).
The Lourdes Academy Bobcats are back in the state championship game, for the first time since 2018 (Defeated Oviedo 1-0). The Lady Bobcats have only conceded nine goals the entire season. Lourdes Academy will come into play, as the #8 ranked team in the nation, according to MaxPreps.
CLASS 7A: Bartram Trail (20-1-3) vs Cypress Bay (22-1), Friday @ 7pm
The Bartram Trail Lady Bears are making their second state championship game appearance in school history (Finished as a runner-up in 2010). Bartram Trail is led by 19th year head coach Jen Rodriguez-West (300-92 career record). Bartram Trail has also won the regional championship, in each of the previous three seasons. Players to watch for Bartram Trail: Senior Paige Hunt (Troy University signee), senior Ella Dudley (New Hampshire signee) (11 goals, 7 assists) & senior Mia Staley (North Alabama signee) (8 goals, 10 assists)
The Cypress Bay Lightning are back in the state championship game, for the second consecutive year (Finished as a runner-up in 2019) & are seeking their first state championship in school history. The Lightning are led by 14th year head coach Kate Dwyer (251-43 career record). The Lightning are also led by junior Megan Morgan (32 goals, 13 assists), senior Fabiola Menendez (17 goals, 22 assists) & senior Alex Goffi (Signed with Middle Tennessee). Cypress Bay also comes in ranked #4 in the nation, according to MaxPreps & TopDrawerSoccer.