Lourdes secures return to state over McCarthy; Heritage, Aquinas, Cypress Bay advance
With the bitter memory of a rare regional final loss a year ago on the very same field, the Lourdes Academy girls soccer team was not about to let history repeat itself on Wednesday night.
The Bobcats, after suffering a 3-1 upset loss to St. Thomas Aquinas a year ago in the same round did not let it happen this time as they pulled out a 1-0 overtime win over Archbishop McCarthy in a Region 4-5A final at Columbus High School.
Lourdes (15-1-3) is now headed back to the place its become quite accustomed to - the state final four. The Bobcats, who went to seven of them in an eight-year span from 2016-2023, will enter as the No. 1 seed and take on No. 4 Wesley Chapel Cypress Creek in a 5A state semifinal on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Lake Myrtle Sports Complex in Auburndale.
'Last year honestly was a shock for us but at the same time it was a reality check for us,' Lourdes coach David Fique said. 'As a program, we have now worked our way up to where you are expected to make it to state which is nice but it's a challenge to do it every year. The girls knew they were going to need to play well tonight to get this done because McCarthy is a tough opponent.. We're excited to be back at state.'
The game-winner for Lourdes came off the foot of freshman Gianna Gray four minutes into the first 10 minute overtime period and then the Bobcats put on a brilliant display of possession keep-away on the Mavericks, limiting them to virtually not offensive chances the rest of the way.
'Everything happened so fast, it's still a blur for me right now,' said Gray, who had just gotten the water cooler bath from her teammates. 'What a moment to get a goal like that. I love my teammates and am so glad I was able to help them tonight.'
Bobcat players suffered through a frustrating scoreless 80 minutes of regulation as they more or less dominated possession and scoring chances but simply could not get the ball past McCarthy freshman goalkeeper Mikaela Bishop who was brilliant in front of the net making numerous quality saves.
'We're not even playing in overtime if it wasn't for Mikaela,' said McCarthy coach Mike Sica bluntly. 'She was simply outstanding out on that field and kept us in the game.'
Now the Bobcats will not head north hoping to capture another state title. Despite all the trips to state, winning it all has eluded them since 2020 when they won their second championship in a three-year span having also won it in 2018.
'We remembered what an empty feeling it was on this same field last year and have been determined all season long to right that wrong,' senior co-captain Mia Roca said. 'It took a lot out of us but we knew that we could do it because of how much of our team is not just a team but it's a family and I really felt that's what got us through tonight. Now it's time to go up there and bring the trophy home.'
HERITAGE CHASING MULTIPLE TITLES
American Heritage's quest for both its third consecutive state title and a national title rolled on with another lopsided win on Wednesday night.
Led by a pair of goals and an assist from Sami Villaverde, the Patriots (17-1) cruised past Somerset Academy 4-0 on their home field in the Region 4-4A final.
American Heritage advances to state for the third consecutive year and will take on Lemon Bay on Tuesday night at 7 p.m. in a Class 4A state semifinal at Lake Myrtle Sports Complex in Auburndale.
Senior Jordyn Norwood and freshman Mattie Hall also scored goals for Heritage, which is ranked No. 1 in the nation by MaxPreps.
Senior Courtney Caruso, freshman Mia Sommers and junior Allison Aleman each had an assist as well. Senior Jillian Miliffe recorded the shutout.
Somerset Academy finishes 16-6.
AQUINAS RETURNS TO STATE
St. Thomas Aquinas is also ranked among the nation's best and continues to demonstrate why as it did during a 6-0 rout of Cooper City on its home field on Wednesday night in the Region 4-6A final.
The Raiders (18-1-3), who are ranked No. 6 nationally by MaxPreps, advanced to the Class 6A semifinals to take on Bradenton Lakewood Ranch at 7 p.m. next Thursday at Lake Myrtle Sports Complex in Auburndale.
Aquinas owns the most state championships in state history with 15, but has not added to that total since 2017. The Raiders advanced to the state final four for the second consecutive season.
Bianca Raskin led Aquinas with two first-half goals while Marisa Robinson and Brooklyn Burbridge each scored also in the first 40 minutes.
Sophie Barnes and Madison McKeon each scored in the second half. Cooper City finishes the season 16-4-1.
CYPRESS BAY AVENGES LOSS
A year after having its streak of five consecutive trips to the state final four snapped by Douglas in the regional finals, Cypress Bay secured some payback with a 2-1 victory over the Eagles in Weston.
The Lightning (17-1-1), ranked No. 8 nationally by MaxPreps, advanced to the Class 7A state semifinals as the top seed, and they will take on Jupiter on Monday night at 7 p.m. at Lake Myrtle Sports Complex in Auburndale. Douglas finishes the season 12-2-6.
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