Harmony wins 8-0 at district soccer tourney to advance

By Ken Jackson
Sports Writer

For the second year in a row, Harmony’s girls soccer team (13-1) advanced to the regional round  after an 8-0 win over Tavares in Wednesday’s semifinals.

Kaley Ward had three goals and three assists and Caitlin Beam, Anna Blanchard and Payton Leffew also scored. Brittany Connor, Emily Johnson and Sage Leffew chipped in assists.

Harmony beat Eustis, 1-0, in the regular season after losing to the Panthers three times last year, including the regional semifinal.

“We want to make some history. The focus is much better than last year, and the girls believe they can win,” HHS Coach Stephanie Jones said.

Eustis beat Celebration, 8-0, Wednesday. The Storm won its quarterfinal Monday over Poinciana, 8-0. Laura Rodriguez scored three goals, Amber Gavitt scored twice and Jillian Strogis had a goal and three assists.

Tavares advanced Monday by beating St. Cloud, 1-0, on penalty kicks.

Osceola and Liberty, the Nos. 2 and 3 seeds at the 5A-5 tournament at Winter Haven, were shocked in the first round.

The Kowgirls (14-5-1) fell to Lake Wales, the No. 7-seed because of forfeited district wins, 5-3 Tuesday. The Highlanders led 2-1 at the half thanks to Kim Maldonado’s two goals, but OHS’s Leah Mullins tied it a minute into the second half. Maldonado scored twice more to put the game and the Kowgirls away.

Haines City, the No. 6 seed, defeated Liberty, 2-1, on an overtime goal by Katie Schillings. The Chargers led 1-0 on Alicia Font’s first-half goal.

In the 6A-6 tournament Tuesday at Vero Beach, Gateway lost to St. Lucie West Centennial, 3-0.

The boys district tournaments get under way next week.

Osceola and Celebration each need just one win to reach the soccer regional playoffs, which begin Feb. 3.

Both are No. 1 seeds and received opening-round byes.

The Kowboys (15-4-1) earned their top seed with a thrilling 1-0 win over Ridge Community on Jan. 14. Josh Martinez knocked a pass from Oreon Trejano into the net with 28 seconds left, and Jeanfred Santos notched his ninth shutout in goal.

“Ridge is big, physical and fast, but we changed our formation and found a way to shut them down,” OHS Coach Tom Bell said.

Playing a possession game most of the year to counter size and physicality disadvantages, the midfield of Trejano, Martinez, Jordy Urbina and John Fraire has been the strength.

“And our defense is rock-solid,” Bell said, noting players like Juan Silva, Allenfredo Santos, Alex Miller and Greg Martinez keeping things quiet in front of Jeanfred Santos.

Osceola will play Wednesday at 6 p.m. in the 5A District 5 tournament at Liberty, awaiting Monday’s winner between the host Chargers, the No. 5 seed, and Sebring at 7 p.m.

A Kowboys win puts them in Friday’s 7 p.m. championship game, but more importantly into the regional playoffs for the first time since 2003.

“With how tough it is to play in Polk County, if we make it this year, that’s a big step for this program,” Bell said.

The playoff path is more familiar to Celebration, which took an unbeaten record into Thursday’s game with nationally-ranked Montverde Academy.

The Storm rolled through district 4A-7 play in 5-0-1 fashion and is the top seed in the district tournament at Harmony.

Coach Julio Machuca’s team plays Wednesday at 5 p.m. against Tuesday’s 6 p.m. winner between St. Cloud and Poinciana.

The host Longhorns play Tavares Monday at 7 p.m. The winner plays Monday’s early-game winner between Oak Ridge and Eustis  Wednesday at 7 p.m. The championship is Friday at 7 p.m.

Machuca said his team is prepared to handle its role as a favorite.

“We probably have a big target hanging on our necks because I’m sure a lot of teams are gunning for us. We’ll need to be very focused and respect everyone,” he said.

“We are pretty healthy, knock on wood, so hopefully we’ll be at full strength.”

For the third year, central midfielder Santiago Echeverri leads the Storm attack, scoring 17 goals and distributing eight assists in a balanced attack that’s seen six players score at least four goals this season.

Gateway (9-6-3) is the second seed in the 6A-6 tournament at Treasure Coast.

The Panthers, who hoped to be at full strength after a series of red cards, injuries and illnesses, play Centennial at 5 p.m. on Wednesday.

The winner moves into Friday’s final at 7 p.m.