BM squads get to share the spotlight
Bishop Moore’s boys and girls soccer teams have taken different paths to the final round of FHSAA regional playoffs.
The programs share the spotlight Tuesday as the Hornets host a postseason doubleheader against Merritt Island as two of the 10 remaining Orlando area teams aiming to advance to Friday’s state semifinal round.
Admission to region championship games is $7.
The Bishop Moore girls, ranked No. 2 in Class 4A last week by MaxPreps, kick the night off vs. No. 8 Merritt Island (14-2-3) at 4:45 p.m. Seniors Ryland McGratty and Kate Busbee lead the way for a Hornets squad that has outscored opposing teams 82-16.
McGratty has tallied 13 goals and 6 assists. Busbee has a team-high 14 assists for Bishop Moore (16-3-1).
Bishop Moore’s boys are unbeaten over their last 12 matches dating to December when the team fell to 3-5-4 following a 1-0 loss vs. Lake Brantley. The Hornets (14-55) have since played in nine games decided by two goals or less. That included a wild district final that ended in a 3-2 win in overtime against Titusville despite seeing the Hornets trailing by two goals and finishing the match with only nine players.
Midfielder Juan Figueroa has paced Bishop Moore with 10 goals and 9 assists. Defender Shea Kirven leads the team with 10 assists. Merritt Island (16-1-1) was ranked No. 4 in 4A by MaxPreps on Friday.
Lake Mary (20-2-1) hosts Winter Park (13-2-3) in the Class 7A Region 1 boys final in what is the only game Tuesday involving two area programs. Each team made it out of the semifinal round with narrow victories.
The Rams, large-class state champions in 2019, defeated Jacksonville Mandarin 1-0 on Saturday on a goal by Zach Helfrich. The Wildcats, making their third consecutive trip to a region final, are looking to ride the momentum of a 2-1 overtime win over previously unbeaten Lake Nona.
“When you get to these rounds in the state playoffs, every team is a good team, and Lake Mary is an excellent team,” said Winter Park coach Tom Traxler. “We’re gonna have to be ready for another hard battle.”
East Ridge’s boys and girls teams face off with Tampa Plant in Class 7A Region 2 games at separate locations. The boys team is on the road in the first region final appearance for the program. The girls team returns home to Clermont after rallying for a 2-1 win with under 15 minutes to play last week vs. Davenport Ridge Community.
Alanis Melgar’s goal off an assist from Mireya Zepeda sealed the win in what was described as an all-around team effort down the stretch.
“It’s all about doing it together,” said East Ridge girls coach Leon Florez. “We can not win if we don’t [work] together. It’s all about team chemistry and togetherness and leaving it all out on the field.”