from Miami Herald

It ended in tears and heartbreak on a perfect night in Tampa, a night when the perfect goalkeeper was a little less than perfect.

Kelsey Wys, who will be remembered as the best goalkeeper in the history of Broward County, saw her chance to set a state record for shutouts end, and finishes a brilliant career at Douglas.

Just like Douglas itself, a team that marched back to the state title game with a sense of redemption and resolution, Wys came to Tampa to reclaim a championship.

But Melbourne, which had won only one state title back in 1987, was too quick and too opportunistic for the Eagles, beating Douglas 3-0 in the Class 6A girls' soccer state title game.

''I think we all left our hearts on the field,'' said Wys. ``I wouldn't trade this team for anything. I'm so glad to be a part of it.

''We worked hard,'' she said. ``I think they worked a little harder. I think they were the better team [Thursday]. We did everything we could do. It just wasn't enough.''

Even in defeat, Wys was courageous, hugging and consoling some of her teammates who were in tears. The All-American who is headed for Florida State leaves a legacy of her own -- just like legacy of the program she helped anchor for four years.

''She's All-World,'' said Douglas coach Stu Katz, who gathered his team together after the loss and made a promise.

``When [Melbourne] was getting the first place trophy and celebrating, we made a promise to come back here next year and be where they are right now.

''We only have two senior starters [Wys and Taylor Thomas],'' he said. ``We're young, and we plan on being back next year.''

Wys' quest for the record ended the only way it could have -- with Wys making an incredible effort on a ball.

Alyssia Feronti blasted a shot that was headed for the top right corner.

Wys left her feet, flying across the net in time to knock the ball away what could have been the save of the night.

One problem: The ball skipped off to the right side, where Melbourne's Carlee Jones ripped the rebound shot past Wys.

The game was less than 10 minutes old, and the record was gone.

''I just missed judged it, and then it goes right to her'' Wys said. ``She was in the right spot at the right time.''

Wys might not have broken the record, but she's the best South Florida has ever seen. Her 22 saves ties the state record and establishes a new standard for every girls' soccer player in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach.

Just like Douglas, the team that has set all the standards for South Florida. Throw the words dynasty and legacy around and they still land on the girls from Parkland, the ones who have rewritten what soccer means in South Florida.

This was Douglas' seventh trip to the state title game in the last eight years. It started with a second place finish in 2002. Then there were the five consecutive state titles, and finally last year's quick exit in the first round. But Douglas (21-4-3) stormed back with one of the most talented teams in the state before falling short against Melbourne, which finished its near perfect season at 23-0-1.

And that one tie was to Cardinal Gibbons, the top-ranked team in the nation.

It was a tough night for the Eagles, who had only four shots toward the goal and forced only one save all night -- a shot by Kelsey Allphin late in the second half.

Melbourne scored twice in the second half on a goal by Rachel Price, who dominated in the two games she played here, and then by Melissa Madden, who scored in the 73rd minute.

photos from the game