from pennsacola  news journal

JACKSONVILLE — It's been a successful journey for the eight seniors on the Gulf Breeze girls soccer team to date.

Thanks to a big road victory on Friday night, the Dolphins remain on track to go out with a memorable finish.

Using two second-half goals from senior Jessica Majewski, the Dolphins slid past Jacksonville Stanton 3-1 in the Region 1-4A final in Jacksonville.

The win gives Gulf Breeze a third straight berth in the Class 4A Final Four in Tampa. The Dolphins (18-5-3) will take on Ponte Vedra — a team they played to a 0-0 tie in December — in the Class 4A semifinal on Thursday at the University of Tampa's Peppin Stadium.

"In the first half (on Friday), we certainly stepped on the field a little flat," said Sharon Kerby, Gulf Breeze's second-year head coach. "In the second half, our girls rose to the occasion. They stepped up."

The Dolphins nabbed a 1-0 lead with an own goal in the first half, but Stanton responded with a penalty kick goal to tie it at 1-1 entering halftime.

That's when Majewski — a UWF signee — took control, scoring two goals in a five-minute span to pull her team away.

While this senior class is making its third final four trip, it will be looking for a first state championship. In 2007, Gulf Breeze fell to Orlando Bishop Moore 2-1 in the state championship game. Last season, Kerby's first as head coach, the Dolphins lost to Merritt Island in the state semifinals.

Kerby is hoping this will be her team's year.

"Overall, these seniors have just stepped up in so many way and have become strong leaders," Kerby said. "Getting back to the final four is exciting for them and I think they are ready for it."