Nobody’s perfect
Ida Baker’s record-setting season of perfection in girls’ soccer was great while it lasted. Going 27 games undefeated and untied was unexpected, and some say undeserved, but all good things must come to an end.
The Bulldogs played like winners to the very end Tuesday night, but had to settle for their first loss, 4-1, to a more experienced Barron Collier squad in the Region 3-4A semifinals at Bulldogs Stadium.
The Bulldogs’ season ended at 27-1, while the Cougars (21-1) continue on to the Class 4A regional finals Friday at Lakewood Ranch.
“It was an awesome effort,” said Bulldogs coach Dave Trepkowski. “We came to play for all 28 games and I’m proud of the girls for playing all the way to the final second. As far as I am concerned we did not lose this game. It was just a setback.”
The Bulldogs dominated much of the play, but came away with little to show for it. They outshot the Cougars 22-11, including 12-7 in the second half. Baker goalkeeper Natalia Ortiz allowed three goals and made two saves while senior defender Ali Hare saved two others, the last one coming as the Bulldogs’ attacking goalkeeper.
“We got a couple of bad breaks on some balls,” said Trepkowski. “The playing conditions were the same for both teams, so that is no excuse. We had a number of chances, but this was bound to happen.”
Junior Jennifer Martin scored two goals for the Cougars while senior Jaime Lockie and freshman Sam Gomes each added one.
Senior co-captain Christine Giles scored the Bulldogs’ lone goal on a free kick from 25 yards out on the right wing to spoil the Cougars’ bid for a 19th shutout on the season.
“All I was thinking was this was the last chance to help my team,” said Giles. “That was my last goal. I just wanted a chance to maybe try and tie it up.”
Playing conditions contributed to Collier’s first score on a field softened by light rains throughout the morning and a hard shower in the early afternoon. Guarding the near post, Ortiz slipped as she tried to scurry across the goal and could not regain her footing in time to get a hand on a ball blasted from outside the box on the right wing by Martin 10 minutes into the game.
On the ensuing kickoff, Baker charged the goal with freshman Monique Elliott’s shot from point-blank range saved by Collier keeper Kaitlin Conway.
Lockie’s shot from the left side of the goal made it 2-0 midway through the first half. Two of Collier’s four first-half shots on goal found the mark.
Just before the end of the first half, Baker’s Ashleigh Weaver was knocked to the ground hard, and was taken to a hospital with a head or neck injury.
The Bulldogs took several bruising knockdowns in the second half, but never backed down. The Cougars drew two yellow cards for their actions, issued as the Bulldogs continued to apply relentless offensive pressure.
Trailing 3-0, the Bulldogs spent the final 10 minutes in full attack mode. Trepkowski pulled Ortiz from the goal and gave the keeper attire to Hare, who from midfield sent several Collier clearing blasts back keeping the Bulldogs on the offensive.
Five of the six free kicks the Bulldogs were awarded in the offensive zone down the stretch zeroed in on the net. One free kick caromed to Jordan Goffar, whose shot was saved. Another kick was muffed by the keeper, but cleared by another Cougar.
A third free kick by sophomore Brittney Herrera hit high on the left post. Giles fired two at the net with one sailing just over the crossbar and the other one was headed over.
Giles’ scoring shot found the mark with less than two minutes remaining.
“It was fun, but this season was my favorite, we set a trend,” Giles said of her four years at Baker. “At least we got the district title I wanted.”
Beaming with pride despite the defeat, Trepkowski said, “We’re not satisfied, we’re never satisfied. We’ll take a look at areas to improve for next year. These girls work hard together, and with more girls coming in next year the future looks bright.”
Region 3-3A: Senior Kayley Clay scored two goals in the second half to help boost Bishop Verot to a 3-0 victory over Cardinal Mooney in Sarasota and advance to Friday’s Region 3-3A finals.
Sophomore Kady Otzko tacked on one goal for the Vikings (20-2-2) while junior McKenna Duquette and senior Stephanie Lamboy each had assists. Chryssie Gibson and Cailyn Rizzo shared goalkeeping duties with two saves apiece.
“It was a one-sided game,” said Vikings coach Randy Zavada. “We had way more shots and hit the crossbar a couple of times.”
The Vikings host Berkeley Prep, a 4-1 winner over Clearwater Central Catholic, in Friday’s regional final.
Boys Basketball
Mariner 66, Cape Coral 53: Senior Clint Johnson caught fire in the third quarter for 10 of his season- and game-high 16 points to spark Mariner to victory over archrival Cape Coral.
Johnson’s play helped the Tritons stretch a 37-32 halftime lead into a 55-44 lead entering the final period. Harrison Kuchman contributed 11 points while Kameron Beach pulled down six rebounds and handed out four assists.
“We did a good job of getting the ball inside and penetrating to the basket in the second half,” said Tritons coach James Harris.
David Flynn and Justin Mitchell scored 13 points apiece for the Seahawks.
Mariner (17-7) plays at East Lee County Thursday night in an LCAC crossover game.
Cape Coral16 16 12 9 – 53
Mariner16 21 18 11 – 66
Cape Coral 53 – Henry 5, Mitchell 13, Flynn 13, McIntyre 4, Hill 9, Adams 4, Figueroa 4, Caprice 1. Totals: 18 12-19 53.
3PG – Flynn 3, Henry 1, Hill 1.
Mariner 66 – Beach 4, Barsesa 8, Kuchman 11, Marrero 1, J. Rivera 5, Guerrier 9, Walker 1, Emmons 8, Johnson 16, G. Rivera 3. Totals: 25 8-15 66.
3-PG – Barsesa 2, Kuchman 3, G. Rivera 1, J. Rivera 1, Emmons 1.
Bishop Verot 69, Barron Collier 37: Jaquard Hagan pitched in a game-high 23 points and grabbed seven rebounds with double-figure scoring suport from Quinten Payne and Bobby Thomas as Bishop Verot crushed Barron Collier.
Payne, a freshman, and Thomas, a senior, contributed 16 points apiece to help the Vikings (14-9) record their seventh victory in their last eight games.
The Vikings host Ida Baker Wednesday night.
Bishop Verot 21 17 14 17 – 69
Barron Collier 7 6 15 9 – 37
Bishop Verot 69 – Wagner 2, Payne 16, Thomas 16, Hagan 23, Sandoval 8, Howard 4. Totals: 29 2-3 69.
3PG – Payne 2, Thomas 4, Hagan 3.
Barron Collier 37 – Clark 12, Phillips 2, Pagka Lungan 2, Nealon 5, Smith 8, Hayes 4, Foggins 4. Totals: 15 4-9 37.
3PG – Clark 1, Nealon 1, Smith 1.
Lee County Home School 57 Emmanuel Baptist 38: The Ambassadors (3-4 overall, 3-0 conference) were led by four players in double figures Monday. Ross Nielsen had 12 points while James Peterson, Jake Higham and Caleb Coe each added 10. Coe also led LCHS with eight rebounds.
The Eagles (1-3) were led by Kent Crawford with 14 points.