By: Ross Van De Griek
We are down to the Final Four across the six classifications across girls soccer here in the state of Florida. A lot of familiar faces are headlining this year's state semifinals. On the other hand, some schools are looking to advance to the state final for the first time ever. Below, will be a complete breakdown of what you need to know about all 12 games taking place tonight.
CLASS 2A
St. John's Country Day (22-1) vs International Community (14-2), 7pm
The St. John's Country Day Lady Spartans have been to the state final every year, dating back to 2011 & have their eyes set on a ninth consecutive state title. The Lady Spartans come into tonight, on a 19-game winning streak dating back to November 22, where they lost 1-0 to Lake Highland Prep. Sophomore Julia Boaventura has led the Spartans all season long, as she currently leads the team with 15 goals scored this season. Another name to keep an eye on will be junior Paige Crews, who has 10 goals & 10 assists on the season.
On the other hand, International Community is currently ranked 5th in Class 2A, according to MaxPreps & are looking for their first state final appearance in school history. The Lady Comets are led this season by senior striker Megan Butz, who has scored a team high 29 goals this season. Another name to watch for, will be junior Hannah Nair who has 17 goals & 15 assists on the season.
Westminster Academy (13-6) vs Shorecrest Prep (13-3-2), 7pm
The Westminster Academy Lions are in the state semifinals for the first time in school history, as are currently on a six-game winning streak. A player to watch for will be freshman Lily Nava, who is currently leading the team with 33 goals scored this season. The Lady Lions have yet to concede a goal so far this postseason.
The Shorecrest Prep Chargers are looking to advance to the state final, which would be the second consecutive year a team from Pinellas County has made the state final (Palm Harbor University in 2019). Players to watch for Shorecrest Prep: Christina Steffens (12 goals, 10 assists), Kaja Dionne (12 goals, 10 assists) & Taylor Andrews (11 goals, 6 assists)
Class 2A Final: Wednesday, February 26 @ 1:00pm in DeLand
CLASS 3A
Bolles (21-6) vs Lakeland Christian (23-1-1), 7pm
How did Bolles get here? Defeated Bishop Snyder 8-0, defeated South Walton, 7-0 & defeated Episcopal School of Jacksonville, 4-0. Players to watch for Bolles: Olivia Candelino (Auburn signee) (41 goals, 39 assists), Isabel Kimberly (18 goals, 12 assists) & Annalise Cannada (10 goals, 16 assists). The Lady Bulldogs are looking to advance to the state final for the second consecutive year (Defeated Cardinal Gibbons, 5-1 last season).
How did Lakeland Christian get here? Defeated Tampa Catholic 2-0, defeated The Villages Charter 2-0 & defeated Berkeley Prep, 2-1 (4-3 in PK's). Players to watch for Lakeland Christian: Katie Carnes (19 goals, 25 assists), Maddie Lopez (14 goals, 17 assists) & Kaelyn Diaz (8 goals, 12 assists). Lakeland Christian is looking to advance to their first state final appearance since 2017, where they ran into the hands of St. John's Country Day (Lost 1-0).
Lake Highland Prep (13-5) vs Carrollton School (Miami) (15-2), 3pm
How did Lake Highland Prep get here? Defeated Coral Springs Charter, 2-1 (5-4 in PK's), defeated American Heritage (Delray) 2-1) & defeated West Shore, 3-1. Players to watch for Lake Highland Prep: Samantha Kahn (8 goals, 3 assists) & Sara Klein (8 goals, 2 assists).
How did Carrollton School (Miami) get here? Defeated LaSalle 2-0, defeated Ransom Everglades 2-0 & defeated Palmer Trinity 2-1. Players to watch for Carrollton School of Miami: Fatima Perez-Hickman (14 goals, 7 assists), Natalia Hoadley (13 goals), Anna Diaz-Silvera (11 goals) & Jacqueline Reed (5 goals, 8 assists)
Class 3A Final: Wednesday, February 26 @ 4:00pm in DeLand
CLASS 4A
Lemon Bay (21-2) vs Bishop Kenny (14-4-2), 7pm
How did Lemon Bay get here? Defeated Cypress Creek 4-1, defeated Nature Coast Tech 4-1 & defeated Wesley Chapel 2-1. The Lemon Bay Manta Rays are in the state semifinals for the first time in school history, as they come into play on a five-game winning streak.
Players to watch for Lemon Bay: Lauren Ragazzone (42 goals, 21 assists), Zoe Melo (36 goals, 19 assists), Hanna Cislo (20 goals, 3 assists) & Sophia Cherniak (12 goals, 21 assists).
How did Bishop Kenny get here? Defeated Clay 5-1, defeated Menendez 4-0 & defeated Pensacola 10-2. The Bishop Kenny Lady Crusaders are looking to advance to the state final for the first time in school history, as they come in ranked #3 in Class 4A, according to MaxPreps.
Players to watch for Bishop Kenny: Mackenna Gregory (19 goals, 7 assists), Chloe Iuliano (18 goals, 12 assists) & Chloe Shaw (14 goals, 8 assists)
Merritt Island (17-3-2) vs Cardinal Gibbons (17-3-4), 7pm
How did Merritt Island get here? Defeated Gainesville Eastside 8-0, defeated Bishop Moore 3-2 & defeated McKeel Academy 1-0 (5-4 in PK's). The Lady Mustangs finished as a district runner-up & are in the state semifinals for the first time since 2017-2018, where they reached the state championship game.
Players to watch for Merritt Island: Grace Hanks (14 goals, 15 assists), Brooklyn McDuffie (10 goals, 6 assists) & Melissa Parker (9 goals, 8 assists)
How did Cardinal Gibbons get here? Defeated St. Brendan 5-0, defeated American Heritage (Plantation) 2-1 & defeated Gulliver Prep 1-0.
Players to watch for Cardinal Gibbons: Sydney Polivka (27 goals, 8 assists), Debroah Bien-Aime (9 goals, 3 assists) & Madison Rivard (7 goals, 6 assists). The Lady Chiefs are looking to get to the state final for the second consecutive year (Faced Bolles in the 2019 FHSAA Girls Soccer Class 2A Championship).
Class 4A Final: Wednesday, February 26 @ 7:00pm in DeLand
CLASS 5A
Land O'Lakes (16-5-1) vs Ponte Vedra (15-5-4), 7pm
How did Land O'Lakes get here? Defeated Pine Ridge 8-0, defeated Lecanto 4-2 & defeated Lake Wales 7-2. The Land O'Lakes Lady Gators are in the state semifinals for the fourth time in the last six seasons.
Players to watch for Land O'Lakes: Jordan Green (24 goals, 13 assists), Jada Silvest (12 goals, 11 assists), Annika Richardson (10 goals, 4 assists) & Avery Wild (7 goals, 18 assists)
How did Ponte Vedra get here? Defeated Choctawhatchee 2-1, defeated Gulf Breeze 1-0 (5-4 in PK's) & defeated Stanton 1-0. The Lady Sharks are just two wins away from winning their third state title in school history (2009, 2012).
Players to watch for Ponte Vedra: Eli Mabe (11 goals, 5 assists), Cassidy Bierwagen (9 goals, 4 assists) & Julia Deal (6 goals, 4 assists).
Estero (22-1-3) vs Archbishop McCarthy (20-1-2), 7pm
How did Estero get here? Defeated Lely 6-0, defeated Naples 2-0 & defeated Countryside 1-0. The Lady Wildcats have yet to concede a goal throughout the postseason.
Players to watch for Estero: Mackenzie Gorski (48 goals, 5 assists), Alena Smyrnios (13 goals, 3 assists), Madeline Mancini (9 goals, 13 assists) & Aidan Mccausland (6 goals, 15 assists)
How did Archbishop McCarthy get here? Defeated Sebring 8-0, defeated Pembroke Pines Charter 3-2 & defeated Bayside 7-0.
Players to watch for Archbishop McCarthy: Liliana Katz (16 goals, 5 assists), Jordyn Pitter (UCF signee) (16 goals, 8 assists) & Sophia Goetz (14 goals, 6 assists)
Class 5A Final: Friday, February 28 @ 1:00pm in DeLand
CLASS 6A
Creekside (14-5-1) vs Venice (14-3-2), 7pm
How did Creekside get here? Defeated Gainesville Buchholz 5-0, defeated Tallahassee Lincoln 6-1 & defeated Chiles 2-1. The Creekside Lady Knights are in the state semifinals for the first time in school history.
Players to watch for Creekside: Olivia Surrency (15 goals, 7 assists), Delaney Tauzel (Florida signee) (13 goals, 7 assists) & Gianni Badon (8 goals, 6 assists)
How did Venice get here? Defeated Largo 5-2, defeated East Lake 7-0 & defeated St. Petersburg 1-0.
Players to watch for Venice: Mason Schilling (21 goals, 11 assists), Katerine Jordan (Columbia signee) (17 goals, 14 assists) & Rachel Dalton (6 goals, 13 assists).
Viera (19-1-2) vs Lourdes Academy (16-2-1), 4pm (Game played at Belen Jesuit High School)
How did Viera get here? Defeated Martin County 4-0, defeated Harmony 2-0 & defeated St. Cloud 2-1. The Viera Lady Hawks are looking to get back to the state championship game for the first time since 2016 (Defeated Niceville, 2-1).
Players to watch for Viera: Allison Worley (17 goals, 3 assists), Taylor George (16 goals, 9 assists), Talorie Crafton (15 goals, 5 assists) & Taylor Collins (13 goals, 7 assists)
How did Lourdes Academy get here? Defeated Goleman 3-0, defeated St. Thomas Aquinas, 2-1 (4-3 in PK's) & defeated Cooper City 3-1.
Players to watch for Lourdes Academy: Senior forward Mia Atrio, senior Isabel Guisasola, senior Mia Briones & junior Emma Diaz.
Class 6A Final: Friday, February 28 @ 4:00pm in DeLand
CLASS 7A
Plant (18-0-2) vs Bartram Trail (19-1-3), 7pm
How did Plant get here? Defeated Durant 3-0, defeated Lakewood Ranch 1-0 & defeated Newsome 1-0. The Plant Lady Panthers come into tonight's game, ranked #4 in Class 7A according to MaxPreps.
Players to watch for Plant: Quinn Ryan (14 goals, 5 assists), Kallyn McKinney (12 goals, 5 assists) & Victoria Cura (6 goals, 3 assists)
How did Bartram Trail get here? Defeated Oakleaf 5-1, defeated Lake Mary 2-0 & defeated Oviedo 2-1. The Bartram Trail Lady Bears are in the state semifinals for the first time in school history.
Players to watch for Bartram Trail: Ella Dudley (11 goals, 7 assists), Olivia Glass (9 goals, 2 assists), Mia Staley (7 goals, 10 assists) & Grace Ivey (6 goals, 8 assists).
Vero Beach (18-1) vs Cypress Bay (21-1), 7pm
How did Vero Beach get here? Defeated Centennial 7-1, defeated Wellington 4-1 & defeated Boca Raton 1-0. The Vero Beach Lady Indians are back in the final four, for the first time since 2015-2016 (Lost to Oviedo, 2-0).
Players to watch for Vero Beach: Madelaine Rhodes (50 goals, 13 assists), Chayse McGirt (9 goals, 3 assists) & Shannon Baggett (7 goals, 7 assists).
How did Cypress Bay get here? Defeated Ferguson 4-0, defeated Western 5-0 & defeated Coral Reef 4-3. The Cypress Bay Lady Lightning are looking to advance to their second straight state championship game (Lost 1-0 to Palm Harbor University last season).
Players to watch for Cypress Bay: Megan Morgan (32 goals, 13 assists), Fabiola Menendez (17 goals, 22 assists) & Camila Jimenez (13 goals, 7 assists)
Class 7A Final: Friday, February 28 @ 7:00pm in DeLand