Bishop Moore ready to compete in postseason
Challenges in the final month of the girls soccer regular season helped Bishop Moore mentally prepare for the start of postseason play.
It was a 2-1 win on Jan. 12 vs. nationally ranked Montverde Academy (11-3-0) that enhanced the confidence for the Hornets (11-3-2). A pair of ties followed against highly regarded Oviedo (10-1-3) and St. Johns Country Day (12-3-1) of Orange Park.
“The second after we beat Montverde, we all looked at each other and realized that we can do this,” Bishop Moore junior midfielder Gabby Garcia said. “If we’re playing at the top of our game, we’re going to be very hard to beat.”
Bishop Moore is eying a return to the state final four after losing last year on penalty kicks in the semifinal round at Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons.
“We’re reminded of it in every single practice. It gives us motivation and it’s really driven our team this year,” Garcia said. “Going all the way to the state semifinals and losing so heartbreakingly, that feeling is always in the back of our heads.”
The Hornets, playing without a senior on the roster, enter the Class 4A District 6 tournament as the state’s No. 4 ranked team in FHSAA power rankings behind 7A’s St. Johns Bartram Trail (15-00), 5A’s North Fort Myers (13-0-1) and 6A’s Ponte Vedra (12-3-2).
Only Bartram Trail and 5A’s Plantation American Heritage (5-5-0) have played a tougher schedule than Bishop Moore, according to FHSAA calculations.
“Having a strong schedule sets you up to see where you are and where you can be,” Bishop Moore coach Amy Geltz said. “We’ve done a great job of bouncing back from some things and overcoming adversity during tough times.”
Soccer district tournaments kick off Wednesday. Admission is $6 per session. District champions earn an automatic spot in regional tournaments and secure homefield advantage in the quarterfinal round.
The Hornets play the winner of Wednesday’s matchup, Deltona Pine Ridge (7-11-1) vs. Mount Dora (3-11-1), Monday at Ormond Beach Sports Complex. No. 2 seed Daytona Beach Seabreeze (12-40) ranks fifth and No. 3 seed Eustis (12-2-1) ranks seventh in 4A power rankings.
Other area teams with early district byes include Seminole Athletic Conference rivals Oviedo and Lake Mary (10-2-0) in 7A.
Despite suffering a 3-0 loss vs. Lake Mary last month, Oviedo is District 2’s top seed by way of a No. 4 power ranking (17.73). The teams could meet up again in the district final next Wednesday.
Lake Mary sophomore Brooke Susi has 8 goals and 10 assists this season. Oviedo has allowed only 9 goals in 14 matches.
The Rams, who rank No. 6 in 7A with a 17.63 ranking, play the winner of Port Orange Spruce Creek (8-10-0) and Ocala West Port (11-5-4) while Oviedo faces either DeLand (7-8-1) or Seminole (5-8-0) in Friday semifinals. Both matches will be played at Lake Mary.
Lake Brantley (10-2-1) and Hagerty (9-5-1) top unpredictable districts as No. 1 seeds.
Senior midfielder Madison Jones leads Lake Brantley with 17 goals and 6 assists. The Patriots, ranked No. 8 in 7A, play Monday at West Orange in a District 3 semifinal vs. either Apopka (8-4-3) or Ocoee (5-10-2). No. 2 seed Winter Park (11-5-1) ranks No. 18 in 7A.
Hagerty is led by junior midfielder Reagan Fitzgerald as the No. 11 team in 7A. The Huskies play Friday in a District 4 semi at Timber Creek against the winner of Colonial (5-12-4) and Orlando University (7-7-3). No. 2 seed Boone (9-2-1) ranks No. 23 in 7A.
Lake Minneola (9-3-1) will host Lake Wales (6-4-2) or Daytona Beach Mainland (10-5-1) on Monday as the top seed in 5A District 7 under first-year head coach Paige Miller. The Hawks rank No. 9 in 5A.
Clermont East Ridge (11-3-1) ranks No. 17 and Lyman (9-4-2) ranks No. 20 in 6A. East Ridge is home vs. Wekiva (3-13-0) on Monday in District 4. Lyman, led by UCF signee Jessica McCullen, plays Friday in District 5 against Edgewater (7-6-4) or Winter Springs (3-9-0).
The First Academy (11-2-2) ranks No. 7 and Lake Highland Prep (7-42) ranks No. 10 in 3A. They would meet Tuesday in the District 6 final with Friday home semifinal wins. TFA defeated the Highlanders 2-0 on Jan. 11.
Geneva (7-4-0), Orangewood Christian (9-3-0), Circle Christian (9-4-1) and International Community (4-8-0) will decide a competitive 2A District 6 champion next week.