Liberty to host OBC championship game Friday
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Osceola County girls soccer preview
The Orange Belt Conference soccer championship is being contested this week, and if the seedings hold true to form, look for perennial county powerhouse Harmony to meet 2022-23 OBC champion Celebration in the finals Friday night at 7 p.m. at Liberty High School.
Of course that matchup will be dependent on the top two seeds advancing to the finals in the weeklong tournament that began Monday. According to FHSAA rankings, Harmony was the top seed and Celebration second, followed by St. Cloud and Gateway.
Here is a look at the county teams this season:
HARMONY
Head Coach: Scott Marlega; 2022-23 Record: 12-4-3
The Lady Longhorns came back from falling in the OBC championship to win the district title with a big 6-0 win over the Storm. Although Marlega, lost nine seniors off of that team, he describes this year’s squad as an interesting mix of youth and veteran leadership.
“We have a great mix with eight seniors and four freshmen on our roster,” he said. “We have a good group of character kids that enjoy getting after it in practice. We will continue to get better every day and look to be competitive in both the OBC and District tournaments.”
Leading the way among returning players are senior captain Alycia Hizer (Sr. Defender, 2 goals, 3 assists last season), Gabby Guzman (Soph., Forward, 30 goals 13 assists) and Lily Glassburn (Jr., Forward 12 goals, 6 assists). Top newcomers include freshman forward Machaela Looper and sophomore Ashlyn Florio, a junior varsity player that was called up to the varsity as an injury replacement for the post-season last year. Harmony is off to a fast start this season, posting a 4-1 record heading into the OBC tournament. The Lady Horns have outscored the opposition 21-2 and have already posted wins over St. Cloud and Tohopekaliga.
CELEBRATION
Head Coach: Rebecca Camis; 2022-23 Record: 14-3-0
Camis’ teams have always been high-scoring, and are averaging 4.2 goals per game in this year’s 4-1 start. The Stormoffense is led by junior striker Ellie Armstrong, who has already tallied seven goals after scoring 16 last year as a sophomore. Anna Balba, another junior, has scored six times this season after tallying 14 last year, and Mayah Casamalhuapa is a solid addition at midfield. Celebration also returns its top goalie in multisport star Carly Robbins, who has allowed just one goal in three games. Freshman The future looks bright for the Storm as freshmen strikers Morena Ferraris and Ines Nouer have already struck for five combined goals this year.
TOHOPEKALIGA
Head Coach: Kristine Ford; 2022-23 Record: 6-11-1
After just six wins last season, Tohopekaliga has almost matched that win total in the first month of season – getting off to a solid 5-2- start that has included wins over St. Cloud and Osceola. Ford said that although Celebration and Harmony continue to be the top programs in the county, she believes the gap between her program and those two schools is beginning to close. The Tigers have a talented group of athletes led by sophomore Natalie Ocampo (attacking midfielder, 18 goals, 8 assists in 2022-23 and, senior Emely Rodriguez (striker, 11 goals, 3 assists last year). Teya Long and Sophia Hernandez help defend in front of two-time All-OBC goaltender Melina Swaisgood.
GATEWAY
Head Coach: Tony Molina; 2022-23 Record: 8-4-0
The Lady Panthers reached the district championship game to cap a fine 8-4 season. Molina did lose some talented players to graduation, including Nicole Ramirez-Parra. He does return several veterans, including sophomore midfielder Allie Mello. The Panthers were 1-3-0 heading into the OBC tournament.
ST. CLOUD
Head Coach: Zachary Oliver; 2022-23 Record: 6-8
Oliver takes over for long time head coach Shawn Beck to help rebuild traditionally one of the county’s top girls’ programs. Against a tough schedule, the Bulldogs the Lady Bulldogs take a 2-40 record into the OBC tournament after a 4-1 win over Gateway on Friday. Oliver will count on junior midfielder Victoria Para and senior center back Avery Thomas, as well as promising first year player Yamaris Abreu (freshman center back) as he begins his rebuild.
POINCIANA
Head Coach: Alissa Gembach; 2022-23 Record: 12-8-0
It’s a new year and a new lineup for Gembach and the Eagles as Poinciana lost most of its offense to graduation – including Val Correa, who was among the nation’s leaders last year with 82 goals scored. The Eagles did return starters Evicka Mercier, Joselyn Bustamante and Mia Guieb. Newcomer Renee Mortimer has scored three times this season in Poinciana’s 1-1-1 start. Junior Jade Fredericks takes over in goal.
OSCEOLA
Head Coach: Liza Pettett; 2022-23 Record: 1-17-0
The Lady Kowboys feature a young team ; 11 of the 13 players who played 90 or more minutes this season. Their top players include strikers Emperatriz Downs-Templeton and Valentina Rodriguez.
LIBERTY
Head Coach: Patricia Colon; 2022-23 Record: 1-15-1
As with Osceola, wins have been hard to come by for the Chargers, but Colon’s team will feature several veteran leaders this year including senior captain Juliana Lozano, senior midfielder Jayda Rodriguez, senior midfielder Asia Antenor and versatile Alexa Calle, who has played forward, midfielder and goalie in her career.
