Prep Report: Verot edges Baker in soccer
Andrew Palumbo struck for the only goal in the 75th minute, sending Bishop Verot to a 1-0 victory over Ida Baker Tuesday in a boys’ preseason soccer match at Cape High.
The Vikings missed a scoring chance just one minute prior when James Gibson dribbled through the Baker defense for the final 40 yards, but his shot was stopped by Bulldogs goalkeeper Jose Zuniga.
The Vikings came right back with the goal by Palumbo.
Early in the second half, the Vikings applied some pressure in front of Zuniga, which sent the goalkeeper scrambling, but teammates Brian Leon and Carlos Zuniga provided support in front of the net.
One of the Bulldogs’ best scoring chances came with about 12 minutes left when Nick Presti led a rush down the right flank, but his shot was wide left of the goal.
Both teams play a second preseason match Thursday at Cape.
Cape Coral 1, North Port 1: After surrendering the first goal with 20 minutes left in the match, the host Seahawks answered with approximately five minutes remaining in a preseason match against North Port at Dave Warkentin Stadium.
Shane Pacheco accounted for the tying goal for the Seahawks. They host a second preseason match Thursday against Bishop Verot.
Girls Soccer
Ida Baker 5, Gulf Coast 2: Christine Giles scored twice and three teammates each added one goal as Ida Baker opened the regular season campaign with a victory at Gulf Coast.
Jordan Goffar, Kelly Fuhrmann and Shannon Pearl scored single goals for the Bulldogs (1-0), who visit city and district rival Cape Coral Wednesday.
Natalia Ortiz made nine saves in goal for the Bulldogs.
North Fort Myers 2, Gateway Charter 0: The Red Knights got off to an encouraging start, with freshmen Casey Gentile and Melinda Lukas sparking the offense in a win over visiting Gateway Charter.
Gentile scored both goals, in the 53rd and 62nd minutes. Lukas assisted Gentile twice.
Junior goalkeeper Brianna Abatisti made six saves to hold off Gateway Charter.
“Very good game,” North coach Donna Agostinelli said. “We just kept the pressure going. When Casey had the opportunity she got them in.”
North travels to Cypress Lake for a match Thursday.
Cypress Lake 8, Island Coast 0: The Island Coast Gators faced a difficult first opponent in their regular season varsity debut, and the outcome confirmed it.
Host Cypress Lake controlled play with eight goals in 40 minutes of action. The Panthers have made three straight trips to the state final four.
The Gators return to action Monday when they host Cape Coral at 6 p.m.
Bishop Verot 4, Charlotte 1: Junior Kady Otzko got off to a blazing start with three goals, leading the host Vikings to victory over Charlotte.
McKenna Duquette recorded one goal and two assists, and Stephanie Zavada had one assist.
The Vikings used two goalkeepers, Chryssie Gibson and Kailyn Rizzo, and each made four saves.
The Vikings host Evangelical Christian Thursday.
Volleyball
Bishop Verot 3, Cardinal Mooney 0: The host Vikings stayed unbeaten and advanced to the regional semifinal round with a 25-12, 25-14, 25-12 sweep of Cardinal Mooney.
The Vikings (26-0) played their typical brand of volleyball in the Region 3-3A quarterfinals match, which included powerful serves, kills and a strong transition game.
“We played well. Solid all the way through,” Vikings coach Wynn DePasquale said. “They did what I asked them to do.”
Christa Brooks got into the act up front, leading the Vikings with 10 kills. Mandy Washburn contributed four blocks.
Libero Katie Mosher, a Florida State recruit, finished with 10 digs, and Ciara Brown tallied 24 assists and three aces.
The Vikings travel to DeSoto County next Tuesday for the regional semifinals.
College update
Football award: Richie Paul, a Bishop Verot graduate, was named the Old Dominion Athletic Conference’s defensive football player of the week.
Paul, a senior at Guilford College, led the team for the eighth straight game with a game- and career-high 18 tackles (10 solo, 1 sack) in the Quakers’ 20-13 win over Randolph-Macon College. It is his second 18-tackle game in a row.