Tritons, Red Knights on collision course
Top-seeded Mariner played like the top team in the District 3A-13 tournament semifinals on Wednesday, scoring five unanswered goals after initially falling behind 1-0 before earning a 5-1 victory over Port Charlotte at North Fort Myers High.
The win sends the Tritons (17-2-3) to the district championship game against No. 2 seed and tournament host North at 7 p.m. Friday. North shut out No. 3-seed Lemon Bay 4-0 in the other semifinal game.
“They scored early, but I think it might have been nerves on our girls’ part,” said Tritons coach Jefferson Swift. “We settled down to take a 3-1 lead by halftime, but had a slow start to the second half. Two late goals finished them off.”
Freshman Taylor Yount tallied three goals to lead the Tritons with Sophia Restrepo accounting for the other two goals. Goalkeeper Alexis Restrepo was credited with five saves.
North Fort Myers 4, Lemon Bay 0: Taylor Kruse, Gabby Ciancimino, Madison Lampkins and Nicole Paquin scored goals Wednesday night to lift second-seeded North Fort Myers to victory over Lemon Bay. The win sends the Red Knights (18-2-1) into the district championship game on Friday at North.
The Knights first scored just four minutes into the match and dominated on offense by outshooting the Manta Rays 24-2. Three of the goals came in the second half.
“It was not the prettiest win,” said Red Knights coach Nick Erickson. “I think our depth wore them down.”
District 4A-12: Ida Baker overcame a 1-0 deficit Wednesday night to upend No. 1-seeded Estero 2-1 in the tournament semifinals. The win sends the Bulldogs (17-6-1) to the district championship match Friday at Gulf Coast.
After Estero took a one-goal lead just after the first-half water break, Haley Rounsifer scored the first of her two goals seconds later to tie the match. Her second goal in the second half proved to be the game-winner because of the 16 saves turned in by goalkeeper Acelya Aydogmus.
“I have to credit Estero,” said Bulldogs coach Chris Vainest. “It was a back-and-forth game and they had several chances to pull it out.”
District 2A-12: Bishop Verot raced to an 8-0 victory over Gateway Charter in 40 minutes Wednesday night in the tournament semifinals. The Vikings (12-8-1) advance to Friday’s district championship game against either Oasis or Clewiston.
Maddie Sarnac played a major role in the victory, scoring five goals. Elena Quinonez added two goals and Nina Gulati the final goal. Lander Peck was credited with two assists. Goalkeeper Bridget Linden made two saves to preserve the shutout.
Boys Basketball
Dunbar 49, Bishop Verot 37: Dunbar easily dispatched Bishop Verot Wednesday night on the strength of the game-high 19 points scored by Ezekiel Rose.
Ben Fullencamp topped Verot with 12 points. The Vikings (7-12) face Venice in the Wally Keller Classic in Charlotte on Saturday.