Stallions Gallop to State Semi Finals

American Heritage-Delray was not pleased with its effort despite a mercy-rule win in the regional semifinals Tuesday.

After another blowout win, Stallions coach Steve Burgess was much happier with how his team played Friday.

American Heritage kept a fast pace and did not allow Miami Westminster Christian much possession offensively in a 6-0 win that sent the Stallions to their sixth consecutive state semi.

"We played with a higher tempo," Burgess said of the difference between the two games his team played this week. "We moved the ball quicker. We dictated the flow of the game. That was really the big difference."

The scoring started when Tatiana Penagos was fouled from behind in the box in about the 18th minute. Miranda Fyfe scored the penalty kick for the one-goal lead.

But it was only a matter of time before the Stallions tacked on more to their lead as Sidney Parodie scored on a deflected shot with less than 10 minutes left in the half.

Yulie Lopez had two goals and Penagos and Dee Long each added goals of their own to seal the victory.

The tempo and the pressure the Stallions applied to the Warriors all night defensively were big factors in the lopsided victory.

"We pressured them a little bit higher up the field," Burgess said. "By forcing that higher tempo and defending higher up the field, we're that much closer to the other team's goal."
 

The Stallions will get an opportunity to avenge their State Finals loss from last season when they were upset by Tampa Prep. Tampa Prep and American Heritage will meet in the Semi- Final game in Tampa on Wednesday.