Loaded district to prepare survivors for girls soccer playoffs

Bartram Trail knows what it's like to be the odd team out.

Last season, the Bears were eliminated in the district tournament semifinals by Ponte Vedra - a year after reaching the state championship game.

"Nobody liked that feeling last year," Bartram Trail coach Jen West said of missing the playoffs. "It kind of sits with you for an entire year. It's definitely a motivator."

With three of the area's top girls soccer teams in the same district, a major contender in District 4-3A will be staying home for the playoffs - again.

"I love being a part of this area that does have such great girls teams, but unfortunately one team will get sent home [this week]," West said. "It makes for a more competitive environment. There can only be one state champ."

In 2009, that state champion was Ponte Vedra, and the Sharks returned to the final four last season, despite losing the district title to budding contender Creekside.

West, Ponte Vedra coach Dave Silverberg and first-year Creekside coach Erin Buning agree that any of their teams has the potential to represent Northeast Florida in the state finals this year.

"It's better to be in a good district, because when you are playing great teams all season that prepares you for the postseason when you're only going to be playing great teams," Buning said. "We're a strong district. Obviously we have our rivalries, but it's great to see a team from our district go on to win state."

Creekside tied with Ponte Vedra during the regular season but earned the No. 1 seed for this week's tournament, which begins today, because of tiebreaker rules.

But the Knights were dealt a blow this month when standout junior Alexis Colon suffered a season-ending knee injury against Palm Coast Matanzas.

"We're definitely going to be missing her," Buning said. "We're all going to have to play for her now."

Taking the No. 1 seed, though, ensured Creekside will avoid the potentially dangerous No. 2 vs. No. 3 matchup that could face Bartram Trail and Ponte Vedra.

For the third-seeded Bears, a potential semifinal rematch with second-seeded Ponte Vedra could mean a chance for revenge.

But first both teams must take out their quarterfinal opponents.

The Bears face visiting Menendez and Ponte Vedra plays host to St. Augustine tonight. Creekside takes on visiting Nease and Clay plays at Matanzas in the other half of the bracket. All games are scheduled for 6 p.m.

"I kind of like being the underdog, per se, because we were the odd man out last year," West said. "This year, there's really no expectations."

Silverberg said the rivalries between Creekside, Bartram Trail and Ponte Vedra are intense on the field, but that makes for more exciting district tournament games - especially in the elimination rounds.

"It's just unfortunate it has to be this early, but that's just the way it goes," he said of a potential meeting with Bartram Trail. "It's going to be a great game regardless."

Francine King: (904) 359-4372

District tournament schedules

District 1-5A

At Patton Park

Teams:Fletcher, Gainesville Buchholz, Mandarin, Sandalwood

Schedule:Wednesday, semifinals, Mandarin vs. Sandalwood, 5:30 p.m., Fletcher vs. Buchholz, 7:20 p.m.; Friday, championship, 7 p.m.

District 3-4A

At Orange Park

Teams:Englewood, Fleming Island, Lee, Middleburg, Oakleaf, Orange Park, Ridgeview, White

Schedule:Monday, quarterfinals, Fleming Island vs. White, noon, Ridgeview vs. Lee, 2 p.m., Oakleaf vs. Middleburg, 4 p.m., Orange Park vs. Englewood, 6 p.m.; Wednesday, semifinals, 5:30 and 7:20 p.m.; Friday, championship, 7 p.m.

District 3-3A

At Stanton

Teams: Atlantic Coast, Bishop Kenny, Forrest, Parker, Paxon, Stanton, Suwannee, Wolfson

Schedule:Monday (at Suwannee), quarterfinals, Atlantic Coast vs. Suwannee, 11 a.m., Paxon vs. Wolfson, 1 p.m., Bishop Kenny vs. Parker, 3 p.m., Stanton vs. Forrest, 5 p.m.; Wednesday, semifinals , 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Friday, championship, 6 p.m.

District 4-3A

At Ponte Vedra

Teams:Bartram Trail, Clay, Creekside, Menendez, Nease, Palm Coast Matanzas, Ponte Vedra, St. Augustine

Schedule:Monday, quarterfinals, Nease at Creekside, 6 p.m., St. Augustine at Ponte Vedra, 6 p.m., Menendez at Bartram Trail, 6 p.m., Clay at Matanzas, 6 p.m.; Wednesday, semifinals, 5:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Friday, championship, 7 p.m.

District 3-2A

At Yulee

Teams:Fernandina Beach, Raines, Ribault, West Nassau, Yulee

Schedule:Tuesday, first round, Raines vs. Ribault, 5:30 p.m.; Thursday, semifinals, Fernandina Beach vs. Raines-Ribault winner, 5:30 p.m., Yulee vs. West Nassau, 7:20 p.m.; Friday, championship, 7 p.m.

District 4-2A

At Episcopal

Teams:Bishop Snyder, Bolles, Episcopal, Providence, Trinity Christian

Schedule:Tuesday, first round, Bishop Snyder vs. Trinity Christian, 5:30 p.m.; Thursday, semifinals, Providence vs. Episcopal, 5:30 p.m., Bolles vs. Bishop Snyder/Trinity Christian winner, 7:20 p.m.; Friday, championship, 7 p.m.

District 5-2A

At Alachua Santa Fe

Teams:Bradford, Fort White, Interlachen, Keystone Heights, Newberry, Gainesville P.K. Yonge, Alachua Santa Fe, Williston

Schedule:Monday, quarterfinals, Newberry vs. Fort White, 5 p.m., Santa Fe vs. Bradford, 7 p.m.; Tuesday, quarterfinals, Keystone Heights vs. Interlachen, 5 p.m., P.K. Yonge vs. Williston, 7 p.m.; Wednesday, semifinals, 5 and 7 p.m.; Friday, championship, 7 p.m.

District 3-1A

At Gainesville St. Francis

Teams: Baldwin, Christ's Church, Eagle's View, Gainesville Oak Hall, Gainesville St. Francis, St. Johns Country Day, St. Joseph, University Christian

Schedule: Tuesday, quarterfinals, Oak Hall vs. St. Joseph, 5 p.m., Eagle's View at St. Johns Country Day, 6 p.m., Baldwin vs. St. Francis, 7 p.m., University Christian at Christ's Church, 8 p.m.; Thursday, semifinals, 5 and 7 p.m.; Friday, championship, 7 p.m.