By: Ross Van De Griek
Last night, the 2019-2020 high school girls soccer season got underway across the state of Florida, with all teams having the same goal & that is to win the state championship in DeLand in February. These rankings will be our first official rankings of the season & we will have weekly rankings every Tuesday, expect the following dates (December 24 & December 31), due to the holiday break.
1. Newsome (0-0-0)
Last Week: Won 6-0 vs Tampa Catholic (Preseason), Tied 2-2 vs Academy of the Holy Names (Preseason)
This Week: vs Sickles (Tues.)
The Newsome Wolves will be playing under first year head coach Zack Grogan. After finishing last season, 17-2-0 & losing to Winter Park in the regional quarterfinals, the Wolves return over half of it's roster from the 2018-2019 team. Expect Newsome to be an early district title favorite.
2. Largo (0-0-0)
Last Week: No games scheduled
This Week: vs Plant (Tues.), vs Sunlake (Thu.)
After coming up one win shy of advancing to the state championship game last year, the Largo Packers have the same mentality to get back to the final four again this year. Largo head coach Dan Flynn is entering his 11th season with the school & has won five district championships, been to three regional finals & has won one regional championship.
3. Plant (0-0-0)
Last Week: Defeated Academy of the Holy Names, 1-0 (Preseason), Defeated Tampa Catholic, 3-1 (Preseason)
This Week: @ Largo (Tues.), vs Freedom (Thu.), vs Sunlake (Fri.)
The Plant Panthers are a nationally ranked girls soccer team this season, where they will be led by 2nd year head coach Alex Venegas. The Panthers will also be led by junior forward Claire Rain (Ohio State verbal commit). Plant opens up their season against a tough task, as they face Largo tonight.
4. Palm Harbor University (1-0-0)
Last Week: No games scheduled
This Week: Defeated River Ridge, 3-1 (Mon.), vs Tarpon Springs (Wed.), vs Seminole (Fri.)
Despite being the reigning Class 5A champions last season, the Palm Harbor University Hurricanes have to move on from Mary Raymond (Now playing at Samford) & Alivia Gonzalez (Now playing at Florida). However, the Hurricanes do return some of their young core that feature junior midfielders Olivia Schick & Camryn Boyette.
5. St. Petersburg (1-0-0)
Last Week: No games scheduled
This Week: Defeated Northeast, 7-1 (Mon.), @ Pinellas Park (Wed.), vs Lakewood (Thu.)
The Lady Green Devils got off to a solid start to the new season last night, with a 7-1 win over Northeast. In a game, where St. Petersburg led 1-0 at the half, the Green Devils scored 6 goals in the second half in the rout. The Green Devils will resume play tomorrow night at Pinellas Park.
6. Wiregrass Ranch (1-0-0)
Last Week: Defeated Anclote, 8-0 (Preseason), Lost to Venice, 2-0 (Preseason)
This Week: Defeated Zephyrhills, 8-0 (Mon.), @ Manatee (Thu.)
The Lady Bulls got off to a quick start in their game last night at Zephyrhills, but now they will face a challenge on Thursday night, as they travel to Manatee in a rematch of last year's Class 5A-2 Regional Quarterfinal.
7. Steinbrenner (0-0-0)
Last Week: Defeated Sunlake, 5-1 (Preseason), Lost to Venice, 5-1 (Preseason)
This Week: vs East Lake (Tues.), vs Academy of the Holy Names (Thu.)
The Lady Warriors have a very young team this year, as they will be graduating just four seniors from their team, that includes senior midfielder Gaby Moore. The Warriors will be playing under 5th year head coach Shannon Aitken.
8. Mitchell (0-1-0)
Last Week: Defeated Tampa Prep, 4-3 (Preseason)
This Week: Lost to Tarpon Springs, 2-1 (Mon.), vs Tampa Catholic (Thu.)
The Mitchell Mustangs girls soccer team got off to a slow start last night, as they are coming off a tough 2-1 loss to Tarpon Springs to kickoff the season. The Mustangs will be back in action this Thursday night, as they will host Tampa Catholic.
9. East Lake (0-0-0)
Last Week: Defeated Tarpon Springs, 3-1 (Preseason), Defeated Alonso, 6-0 (Preseason)
This Week: vs Steinbrenner (Tues.), @ Academy of the Holy Names (Fri.)
The East Lake Eagles are coming off a stellar preseason, with wins over Tarpon Springs & Alonso outscoring them 9-1. The Eagles will kickoff the regular season schedule tonight vs Steinbrenner, at the AHN Invitational.
10. Land O'Lakes (1-0-0)
Last Week: No games scheduled
This Week: Defeated Tampa Catholic, 7-4 (Mon.), @ Fivay (Wed.)
The Land O'Lakes Gators will be playing under head coach Vicky King, who is in her 31st season as head coach. The Gators got off to a roaring start with their 7-4 win last night over Tampa Catholic, that featured two goals each from freshman Jordan Green & junior Annika Richardson. Land O'Lakes will be back in action tomorrow night at Fivay.
On The Bubble: Academy of the Holy Names, Bloomingdale, Countryside, River Ridge, Wesley Chapel, Wharton
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