Watson paces Rockledge

from floridatoday.com

A year after a series of injuries slowed Watson, the junior is now healthy, at full speed and impressing Redd. That showed in part Wednesday evening as Watson scored on a breakaway during Rockledge's comeback 3-2 girls soccer victory over visiting West Shore on the Raiders' Senior Night.

"It's nice to have her back," said Redd, the Raiders' second-year coach.

In a battle between two good teams trying to tune their games for next week's start of district play, Rockledge dominated the final 44 minutes of play to overcome a 2-0 lead by West Shore (12-5-0). The Wildcats, despite starting just one senior because of injuries, had grabbed that edge on goals by eighth-grader Erin Berube and freshman Kaitlin Forry.

At that point, West Shore, which hosts a Class 3A district next week, led 6-1 in shots. By the end of the game however, Rockledge (13-8-0) ruled that category by 19-11.

"We have a few things we need to work on," West Shore coach Julie Williammee said on the rapidly cooling evening. "I think we could have played better."

The Raiders will defend their two-time 4A district title next week at Merritt Island. Looming, providing Rockledge wins its opening match against Space Coast, is a possible semifinal elimination game with Viera.

"I'm real confident with them this year," Redd said.

Part of that is because Rockledge has a passing game that produces a potent offense. That was finally unleashed in the 37th minute when senior Nicole Kent hit an upper corner with an improbable 35-yard shot. Thirty seconds later, Watson swiped the ball from a defender and scored on the breakaway to make the score 2-2 at halftime.

The season before Redd came to Rockledge, Watson, then a freshman, scored 30 goals. Redd held Watson out of Tuesday's first 33 minutes because she "tweaked something" several games ago.

"I think she felt good (Tuesday)," Redd said. "The fact she can turn it on so quickly kind of floors me. She lulls you. The next thing you know, she's gone."

Outshooting West Shore 12-4 following intermission, Rockledge scored its game-winner when junior Jordan Chaffiot's left-side cross after a long run found the Wildcats' net with about 21 minutes remaining.