bradenton herald

EAST MANATEE — Kayla Kerns’ shoulders slumped as her head dropped in disgust. The Braden River sweeper had just dragged down Palmetto’s Sammie Matthews in the box.

The ensuing penalty kick found twine, keeping Palmetto within striking distance.

“Thoughts that were going through my mind was, ‘oh gosh I hope I didn’t lose the game for us,’” said Kerns, a senior co-captain. “I even almost shed a tear.”

But the host Pirates held off a ferocious Tigers attack to win 2-1 in the Class 4A-Region 3 girls soccer semifinals Tuesday.

Palmetto senior Becca Foy’s penalty kick snapped Braden River’s 553-minute scoreless streak.

“I knew I had to pick it up extra for my team after that,” Kerns said.

The Pirates’ staunch defense can be traced to Kerns, the linchpin in the back.

She stopped a late Palmetto attack jumping into a crossing lane before clearing the ball, and preserving the Pirates’ (19-1-2) eight-game winning streak.

“She certainly doesn’t have to make up for anything,” Braden River coach Kevin Bates said. “If not for her, we’re going nowhere.”

Nikki Gainey assisted fellow senior Amanda Peterson on the eventual game-winner. The Braden River forward had spun away from her marker before crossing along the ground to Peterson who had broken free. Peterson smacked the shot that squirted under Palmetto’s Paige McFarland’s arms in the 30th minute.

Gainey took part in the first goal as well. Kerns delivered a free kick from about 40 yards away. The pass was intended for Gainey, who acted as a decoy, when the ball skipped toward teammate Kristin Hoff in the penalty area. The Braden River freshman dribbled to her right then netted a goal in the 5th minute.

Danika Loggins replaced McFarland after Braden River’s 2-0 lead. Palmetto coach Matt Foy said Loggins was having problems with her back before the game resulting in McFarland’s start.

Loggins got quick work as Braden River laced three shots (two on target) during a two-minute span closing out first half action. Loggins stopped both giving Palmetto (15-8-1) momentum as they began a second half assault.

The Tigers won five set pieces in the attacking third. But the Pirates kept their composure as goalkeeper Amber McCullock prevented extra time with two late saves.

“We threw the kitchen sink at them, and we backed them right up there,” Palmetto coach Matt Foy said. “We were winning all the 50/50 battles, we just weren’t winning the one that would help us get the ball into the net.”

The clock stopped during a long delay after Gainey tackled Palmetto’s Brittnee Trevino from behind in the 49th minute. Foy said Trevino suffered a concussion. The Tigers lost starter Sara Shields after she followed her second booking with a red card for dissent in second half stoppage time.

Braden River plays the winner of Fort Myers Cypress Lake-Naples High in the regional finals Friday.