from Naples News

NAPLES — When Ray Morgan looks at the St. Thomas Aquinas girls soccer team, the Barron Collier coach sees what he wants the Cougars to become.

The Cougars have been the most successful girls soccer team in Southwest Florida the past decade. They’ve won eight district titles in nine years and gone to the state playoffs 11 of the past 12 seasons.

While Barron Collier dominates the area, though, St. Thomas Aquinas dominates the entire state. The Raiders have won a record 10 state championships and have gone to the state finals 18 times in 21 years.

“(Aquinas) has that history of being state champs over and over,” Morgan said. “That’s what we’re striving to get to. We’re looking to get to that next level.”

Barron Collier (20-2-1) hasn’t won a regional semifinal game since 2003. The Cougars have a chance to end that streak tonight when they play at Aquinas (20-3-1).

Despite all the district championship trophies, the Cougars haven’t made it out of regionals since 1998. Last year they came close to knocking off Aquinas before losing 2-0 to the perennial powerhouse at Barron Collier.

Now the Cougars take to the road, looking for redemption. The team has fallen in the second round of the playoffs each of the past three seasons, but Morgan said this year’s group is much more talented than a year ago.

“Last year’s team was a lot of sophomores; this year we’re filled with more juniors and seniors,” the Barron Collier coach said. “This year we’re a lot better. All that experience has shown in our composure on the field.”

As the Cougars travel to the East Coast tonight, Naples (14-7-2) is set to take on a nemesis of its own. The Golden Eagles face Cypress Lake (20-4), the third straight year they’ve gone against the Panthers in the regionals.

Naples lost both previous playoff games to Cypress Lake. The Panthers easily got past the Eagles last season, winning 4-0 in the regional semifinals on their way to the state semifinals.

Two seasons ago, Cypress Lake ended Naples’ season by scoring a goal with less than a minute left in their first-round game and winning 1-0.

“We definitely want revenge,” said Naples senior Paige Ahrens, who added that the loss two years ago was particularly tough to take. “We’re going to bring it.”

Golden Eagles coach Frank Frostino was pleased with the intensity his team brought in a 4-0 victory over Riverdale in the regional quarterfinals. Naples has improved its record each of the past four years under Frostino, but hasn’t made it past the regional semifinals.

The Eagles’ victory over Estero in last year’s regional quarterfinal was Naples’ first victory in the state playoffs since 1996. Frostino said his entire team is eager to take the next step.

“There’s an urgency about the girls now,” the Eagles coach said. “Going into the district tournament, they really stepped up their focus and how they came out each game.”

Defense will be key for both Collier County teams, who both face powerful offenses. Cypress Lake has won 10 straight games while averaging 4.4 goals, and St. Thomas Aquinas has won nine straight regional semifinal matches.

Barron Collier can score, too. The Cougars average more than four goals a game, but Morgan said it’s his defense that leads the team. The Cougars have given up just two goals the past nine games behind junior defenders Emily Berkinshaw, Rachel Brothers and Alexa Zavada, with the help of junior midfielder Meaghan Barry.

Naples has 11 shutouts this season, including seven in the past 10 games. Frostino credited defenders Morgan Fry, Ryan Iamurri, Chrissy Keyes and Gabby Passidomo, as well as goalkeeper Morgan Berman.

After missing Barron Collier’s regional quarterfinal victory over Hollywood Hills with the flu, Cougars leading scorer Jamie Lockie could also be out for tonight’s game. Morgan said Lockie is still under the weather and would likely be a game-time decision.