Ponte Vedra girls soccer team cruises into state title game

After knocking off Eustis 3-1 Friday in the Class 3A state semifinals, the Ponte Vedra girls soccer team can pick its storyline.

For some, it's about redemption. Avenging a loss in this round a year ago and finally get a shot to play for it all. For the Sharks' seniors, what could be sweeter than book-ending their careers with championship rings?

At this point, either choice will do.

"Our seniors are really doing it for the younger players," senior defender Erica Burt said. "Everyone should get a chance to feel what it's like to win a state title."

One thing everyone can agree on is this: one more win and the Sharks won't have anything left to debate.

Ponte Vedra will play for its second state title in four years on Feb. 11 when it faces American Heritage, a 6-0 winner over Osceola in Tampa.

Not surprisingly, the road to its first championship in 2009 looked a lot like this one. But while many people felt a young Sharks (22-4-3) team stole a win from Eustis (19-6-2) in that semifinal round, nobody can make that mistake this time.

Ponte Vedra broke apart an evenly matched contest with corner kicks, scoring all three of its goals from set pieces and winning that battle 8-2.

"We knew coming in that was going to be important," said sophomore Bailey Dotsikas, who kicked the corners. "All season we've been working on them. It's been one of our things all year."

That was really the only thing separating the schools on Friday. Otherwise, the chances were almost dead even, as both teams attempted 12 shots. Neither team was able to do any damage on the ground, with Eustis also scoring its lone goal off a free kick that bounced off the crossbar and was finished home by Lauren Smith late in the first half.

Ponte Vedra was able to post a 2-0 lead early, giving its home crowd - a first in a state semifinal game - something to cheer about.

With 27 minutes left to play in the opening half, Dotsikas sent in a cross that bounced off a couple of defenders, nearly went in the goal and was helped along by Burt.

"The setting this time around is completely different," Burt said. "Our home crowd tonight was unbelievable. We're used to not having anyone come out to our games. So this was special."

About 10 minutes later, another corner bounced around the box, but this time was driven in with authority by McKenzie Ryan.

Eustis' Smith scored less than two minutes later to bring the score to 2-1 heading into the break.

Smith, along with her twin sister, Brooke, are both heading to Florida and came into the night with 71 goals between them. They were far and away the most dangerous threat Eustis provided on Friday, but will have to settle for 72 goals and a trip back home.

Silverberg said he wasn't thrilled with how his team marked the dynamic tandem. Regardless, he'll take the result.

"It's great," he said. "Getting a chance to go to state title game for some of the girls who haven't been there before. I couldn't be happier for them."

He also said the new format, which puts a week between the final two games, will help the Sharks recover after a tough night physically. The play of Ryan, and Hanna Parado was a good example of that. The two midfielders were all over the field on Friday, outworking Eustis players to the ball on several occasions.

On that note, Ponte Vedra seemed to get stronger as the game went along. Possession began to turn in their favor, and yes, the corner count continued to rise.

That led to the goal that separated the final score. Nine minutes and seven seconds into the second half, Brooke Sharp, who was dealing with a cold, headed in another dangerous cross that skated its way across the goal.

Eustis had several opportunities after that, including one free kick by Brooke Smith that Ponte Vedra goalkeeper Hannah Allerton made a great save on, but nothing really that scared the Sharks.

Ponte Vedra did a good job keeping the ball, and allowing time to tick its way off the clock.

"This is amazing," Dotsikas said. "It's redemption for losing last year. I'm so excited to keep playing and have a chance to win a state championship."