Boca Raton uses Ehrnst effort to register victory
BOCA RATON —Boca Raton junior midfielder Sophia Ehrnst scored two goals Friday night to lift the host Bobcats to a 2-0 victory over St. Thomas Aquinas in a matchup of Broward County and Palm Beach County perennial girls soccer powers.
It was the first time in school history the Bobcats defeated St. Thomas in the regular season. Boca Raton’s only other victory over the Raiders came in the Class 3A state semifinals in 1991, when Boca Raton won 3-2 (5-4 in penalty kicks).
“I just saw an open spot and an opportunity between the two players, and I had to take it,” said Ehrnst, who scored her seventh and eighth goals of the season.
“I thought this was really big tonight. I thought it was a really hard game. These games, especially against St. Thomas, it is a really big success for us and I am really proud of all the work in practice that led up to this moment.”
Boca Raton (7-0-2) took a 1-0 lead with 7:43 left in the first half when sophomore midfielder Sage Tebon found Ehrnst in front of the net. She right-footed the ball past Raiders senior goalkeeper Catherine Brinis.
The Bobcats missed two golden opportunities to extend the lead early in the second half.
Junior Cassie DesVergers’ long shot was saved by St. Thomas freshman backup goalkeeper Alexandra Carpintero in the 42nd minute. Five minutes later, Ehrnst was denied on a breakaway as Carpintero came far off her line to make the save.
Ehrnst made it 2-0 and iced the game with a rightfooted blast from 18 yards out in the 77th minute.
Boca Raton lost 2-1 in last year’s Class 5A state semifinals to eventual champion Miami Lourdes Academy and then graduated seven players. There are also three starters not playing this season because of travel soccer club commitments.
“I think it is definitely big any time you play St. Thomas with their rich tradition,” Boca Raton coach Rachael Grimes said. “They always have a powerhouse team and it is nice to play well and get a big win.
“I thought we played with a lot of heart, a lot of energy and a lot of hustle. I think we did a great job of winning the ball in the midfield and creating a lot of opportunities for us to have a good performance tonight.”
St. Thomas Aquinas (7-3-1) is also fielding a young squad after graduating 15 players, including seven starters. The team lost in the regional final to rival Archbishop McCarthy.
“We have a lot of injuries and had a lot of games in the past six or seven days,” Raiders coach Carlos Giron said. “They are dead right now, but it is just an experience. We are trying to get ready for the playoffs and these are the kind of games we need to be playing at this time.”
Boca Raton goalkeepers Haylee Snyder and Jane Nordhagen combined for the shutout.
St. Thomas Aquinas’ best opportunity to score came in the 67th minute, when senior Isabella Piso was sprung on a breakaway. But Nordhagen came off her line and cleared the ball away.