Eustis runs away with Class 4A, District 7 title

 From the Orlando SENTINEL

HARMONY — The Eustis girls soccer team got all the offense it would need in the first seven minutes of the game Friday night as the Panthers beat Bishop Moore 5-1 to clinch the Class 4A, District 7 championship.

The Panthers struck quickly to open the game, with forward Tana Hardin scoring in the second minute.

Alika Keene struck again for Eustis less than five minutes later, putting the Panthers up 2-0.

"Those two quick goals gave us the confidence to play the way we actually know how to play," Eustis Coach Wayne Lockett said. "We played them earlier in the year and fell behind early and it just really took us out of our game."

Bishop Moore scored its only goal of the game on an indirect kick by Jessie Uvalle in the 33rd minute, making the score 2-1 heading into the half.

But the Panthers opened the second half the same way they started the game, with Lauren Smith tacking on a goal in the 50th minute to make the score 3-1.

With Bishop Moore fighting aggressively to come back in the second half, the game turned physical. Referees responded by issuing multiple yellow cards and warning both coaches.

For the game, the referees issued a total of five yellow cards, four of them on Bishop Moore.

Eustis added two more goals, one in the 60th minute from Keene and one in the 71st minute from Brooke Smith.

Eustis will host Zephyrhills in a region quarterfinal playoff game Thursday night, while Bishop Moore will travel to take on Hudson.

Hudson (21-2-1) knocked off Zephyrhills (16-7-1) 2-1 in double overtime Friday night in the 4A-8 final.