Prep Report: Fort Myers upends Baker girls 2-1
The Ida Baker Bulldogs had lofty expectations this season, which included reaching the District 5A-15 soccer championship game and then winning that title.
Despite a spirited closing flurry against Fort Myers Thursday night, the Bulldogs were unable to get the tying goal in a 2-1 loss in the tournament semifinals.
The host Green Wave (13-7-2) came out stronger in the first half, scoring once, and extended the lead to 2-0 midway through the second half. Junior Christine Giles scored her 25th goal of the season for the Bulldogs with six minutes remaining.
They went full throttle trying to get another goal before the time expired.
“We did fall short of our goal to be district champions, so it’s sort of disappointing,” Baker coach Dave Trepkowski said. “On the positive side, we did come together as a team and it showed many times.”
The Bulldogs (15-5-3) opened district play Wednesday, outlasting Cape Coral 2-1. The Green Wave continued their impressive run, knocking off the second-seeded Bulldogs after beating third-seeded Gulf Coast Wednesday.
The Green Wave were in control for the majority of the first half, outshooting the Bulldogs 10-1.
Liz Keisling and Lindsey Caserio were responsible for applying a lot of pressure on Baker goalkeeper Libby Schuls, who made 11 saves, but allowed one goal late in the first half.
Morgan Deprofio moved the ball in from the right side and assisted Caserio in the middle, putting the Green Wave up 1-0.
Fort Myers had another potential scoring chance when Jody Gardner lined up for a corner kick, but the first half ended before she could send the ball into play.
“They were more aggressive to the ball (in the first half),” Trepkowski said. “I think that’s just being young. There’s no excuses. Fort Myers played a wonderful game, but we didn’t come out as aggressive as I would’ve liked to see.”
The Bulldogs trailed 2-0 with 19 minutes left when Caserio ran down a loose ball and scored her second goal.
Facing desperation, the Bulldogs responded with their best. With 10 minutes left, Giles sent a corner kick into a crowd and Brenna Hambsch tried to score on a header.
Two minutes later, freshman Brittney Herrera had an open shot from the left flank that landed on the top of the goal.
The Bulldogs finally scored when Giles blasted a free kick past Fort Myers goalkeeper Lisa Monteith.
The final two minutes were played at a frantic pace. The Bulldogs had some chances, including one when Alli Hare tried to run down a ball in the offensive zone, but was knocked down by Fort Myers’ Kallyn Subbert.
“Even though we’re a young team, the intensity was there,” Trepkowski said. “This team doesn’t hang their heads for long. That was really nice to see.”
The Bulldogs lose just two seniors from their lineup, which consisted of 12 freshmen.
The Green Wave advance to Friday’s district championship match against defending champion Barron Collier.
District 3A-10: Bishop Verot advanced to the regional playoffs as the district champion with a 4-1 victory Thursday night over Cardinal Mooney at Viking Stadium.
It was the Vikings’ first win over Mooney in three meetings this season. Mooney won once and tied the other.
McKenna Duquette connected for two goals while Kady Otzko and Lauren Cento each added one goal. Kayley Clay and Mary Keezel each had an assist.
Mooney scored first, in the first 10 minutes, but Verot scored twice in the next five minutes to take the lead for good. Verot led 3-1 at the half and tacked on an insurance goal in the second half.
Goalkeeper Amber Law made six saves to preserve the win.
The Vikings (12-5-1) will host a regional quarterfinal match next Thursday night.
Boys Soccer
Cape Coral 3, Estero 1: Cape Coral scored all three of its goals in the second half to wipe out a one-goal deficit to beat Estero in the Seahawks’ final regular season game.
Freshman Kevin Lopera got the tying goal on an assist from Kenny Segura, who also assisted on a goal by Andrew Torres that proved to be the game-winner.
Fabian Fajardo converted a penalty kick later in the final period to seal the win while goalkeeper Santi Villamil made seven saves.
The Seahawks (9-7-4) begin District 5A-15 Tournament play Tuesday night in a quarterfinals match at Ida Baker.
Mariner 2, Evangelical Christian 2: The Tritons came back from one-goal deficits twice to settle for a tie with Evangelical Christian in the final game of the regular season.
Senior Tyler Korytkowski scored both goals for Mariner, one assisted by Matt Lott and the other by Mikey Cardenas. The second goal was a header at close range in front of the net.
Tritons keeper Renato Proia allowed the two goals and made three saves. Jonathan Diroma and Julio Perez led the defense in front of Proia while Travis Edward controlled the tempo at midfield.
Mariner (12-8-4) hosts Gulf Coast Tuesday in the quarterfinals of the District 5A-15 Tournament.
Bishop Verot 2, Charlotte 2: Bishop Verot saw a two-goal lead melt away as Charlotte came back to tie it up.
Andrew Palumbo scored both of the Vikings’ goals in the first half. Goalkeeper Ryan Linder made six saves.
Verot (14-4-2) hosts Gulf Coast Friday night.
Sports editor Jim Linette contributed to this report.