TAMPA — Berkeley Prep is back in the winner's circle after earning the
Class 3A-9 title for the first time since moving up from 2A.
Taylor Batye scored two second-half goals to lead the Buccaneers to a 2-0
win over St. Petersburg Catholic on Friday night.
Batye's goals came on almost identical plays.
With the game scoreless early in the second half, she took a lob pass
from Brooke Banning that cleared Barons defenders before Batye connected on
the breakaway attempt against goalkeeper Maggie Dalessio.
In the 74th minute, Banning sent a perfect lob pass that Batye controlled
and again beat Dalessio on a breakaway to ice the game.
"Banning just made perfect passes and I just tried to make it on the net
both times," Batye said.
Berkeley Prep (17-3-2) had 17 shots and limited St. Petersburg Catholic
(13-4-2) to 10. The Bucs didn't allow a goal in either of their two district
tournament games and have a great deal of momentum.
"I think we're going to do well in the playoffs," Batye said. "If we play
as well as we've been playing we should make it all the way to the state
finals and win."
