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North Florida Regional Championships
from jacksonvile.com
Winners advance to next week's state final four in Tampa. All matches at
7 p.m. today.
Region 1-5A Tallahassee Chiles (18-8-3)
at Fleming Island (18-5-3) Outlook: Chiles survived back-to-back
penalty kick shootouts and Fleming Island upset undefeated host Bartram
Trail to set up today's regional championship. Kameron Stilwell's ball
control and Katie Eckhardt's field vision will be key for the Golden Eagles,
who will have to work to score past junior keeper Deanna Rivet, a crucial
component in Chiles' two road playoff victories.
Region 1-4A Gulf Breeze (17-5-3) at Stanton
(12-9-4) Outlook: Since having its entire defense back healthy,
Stanton has allowed just one goal in the last four games. Now the Blue
Devils' solid backfield must contain the potent offense of perennial power
Gulf Breeze, which has gone 10-0 in its two regional playoff matches. Senior
Whitney Rohrer (25 goals) and junior Jenna Walton (13 goals) will key the
Blue Devils' attack.
Region 2-4A Ponte Vedra (22-3-2) at Eustis
(20-4-1) Outlook: Despite being a first-year program, Ponte Vedra
might have the edge in experience in this matchup. Eustis has never advanced
this far in the playoffs, and Ponte Vedra's roster includes five members of
last year's Nease Class 4A state champion team: juniors Nicole White,
Courtney Jacquay, Jessica Stephens and Ashley Nicol and sophomore Jackie
Hellett.
Region 1-3A Pensacola Catholic (13-6) at Bolles
(23-3-1) Outlook: Coming off a rout of rival Episcopal, Bolles
looks ready to deliver another trouncing to Pensacola Catholic, which lost
8-0 to Bolles in this round last season. The reigning Class 3A state
champion Bulldogs return top scoring tandem Brooke Thigpen (40 goals) and
Caroline Triglia (29 goals), as well as the talents of speedster Heather
Allen and sophomores Taylor Thigpen and Allie Gerry.
Region 1-2A Tallahassee Maclay (17-4-2) at St.
Johns Country Day (20-2-2) Outlook: Class 2A powerhouse St. Johns
Country Day routed Maclay 7-0 on the road in this round last season. Add
home-field advantage for the Spartans, who boast five players with
double-digit goals this season, and this match isn't likely to make it much
past halftime. Central Florida signee Justine Quick will lead an SJCD
defense that has allowed just nine goals all season.
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