Mariner, Baker, North advance in girls’ regional soccer
The soccer gods were smiling on Cape Coral schools Thursday night as Mariner, Ida Baker and North Fort Myers all advanced in girls’ regional quarterfinal playoff action.
Marcella Montoya’s goal in the second half proved to be the game-winner for the Bulldogs (18-6-1), who got two goals from Haley Rounsifer in the first half to take a 2-1 lead at intermission. Paxton Guerin assisted on both of Rounsifer’s goals and scored the team’s third goal, taking a 3-1 lead at the time. Goalkeeper Acelya Aydogmus was credited with seven saves before leaving the game in the second half with an injury.
The Bulldogs advance to the Region 4A-3 semifinals on Tuesday at Gulf Coast in a rematch of the district championship game last week. Gulf Coast shut out North Port 5-0 on Thursday.
North Fort Myers 2, Barron Collier 1: Taylor Kruse and Kelsey Pederson accounted for North’s goals Thursday night in a Region 3A-4 quarterfinal victory at Barron Collier.
Pederson’s penalty kick goal with about 20 minutes left proved to be the deciding score after the Cougars scored in the closing minutes off an indirect kick near the Red Knights’ goal.
The Red Knights (19-3-1) also face a district championship rematch on Tuesday in the regional semifinal at Mariner.
Mariner 1, Naples 0: Sophomore Amanda Miller scored the game’s only goal early in the second half Thursday as Mariner blanked Naples in the Region 3A-4 quarterfinals.
Miller’s goal came off a crossing pass from fellow sophomore Aryanna Saenz to break a scoreless tie. Goalkeeper Alexis Restrepo was credited with six saves.
The win sets up a rematch of the district championship game with North Fort Myers on Tuesday in the regional semifinal round at Mariner (19-2-3). It’s also the third meeting of the season for the district rivals.
Bishop Verot 8, DeSoto County 0: Nina Gulati tapped in four goals and Maddie Sarnac added two to lead Bishop Verot’s shutout victory Thursday in the Region 2A-3 Quarterfinal playoffs.
The win sends the Vikings (14-8-1) into the regional semifinals on Tuesday at Cardinal Mooney, which defeated Oasis 2-1 Thursday.
Reilly McAloose and Samantha Webb-Martin each added one goal while Lander Peck contributed four assists. Goalkeepers Julia Flynn and Bridget Linden combined for three saves.
Boys Basketball
Cape Coral 78, North Fort Myers 51: C.J. Lewis led a quartet of Seahawks reaching double figures Thursday night in a blowout win over North Fort Myers.
Lewis came through with 20 points to lead the group. Luis Calderon connected for 13 points to go with 10 rebounds while Stephen Hawkins added 11 points and Keyshawn McCoy 10 points.
The Seahawks (12-10), who scored 31 points in the second quarter to open a 50-29 halftime lead, play at Oasis on Wednesday.
Girls Basketball
Ida Baker 53, Estero 38: Bre Kelly pitched in a game-high 27 points Thursday night to lead the Bulldogs to victory. Shelby Elmes added 13 points.
The Bulldogs (4-17) closed out the regular season on a winning note as they head into the District 6A-10 Tournament at Cape Coral on Tuesday.