Martin’s 2 goals extends Boca’s streak

BOCA RATON — Dayana Martin made the most of her move from El Paso, Texas, earlier this school year.

The talented junior forward scored twice to help host Boca Raton down rival Wellington 3-1 in a non-district girls soccer match between two unbeaten foes and county powers on Friday night.

“We came into the game really pumped because they were undefeated like we were,” said Martin, who has 23 goals for the Bobcats (17-0) this season.

Boca Raton seized the early lead when Martin raced down the left side and won the ball before it went out of bounds. She cut it back to her right foot and curled a shot past Wellington junior goalkeeper Alexa Kovi.

The Bobcats made it 2-0 in the 45th minute as leading scorer Kendra Cashion, who sat out the first half, drew Kovi out of goal and found Martin alone at the top of the penalty area. The ball found open net.

Cashion scored her team-leading 26th goal of the season with a little less than three minutes remaining to ice the contest.

Three minutes later Boca Raton dodged a bullet as two Wolverines shots were cleared off the line — first by defender Alex Baxley and then Quinn Knapp.

But Wellington (16-1-1) kept pressing and was rewarded when Abby Bryan scored her 12th of the season. Wellington coach Michael Kozlowski said the loss shows his team is vulnerable.

“You need to play a quality team to find out where you are,” Kozlowski said. “We have some things to work on.”

The teams could face each other in the regional quarterfinals or regional semifinals.

Boca Raton is 4-2 in the playoffs against Wellington. The Wolverines ended Boca’s season two years ago in the regional semifinal, while Boca Raton returned the favor in last year’s regional quarter.

“We didn’t really think too much about the records,” Boca Raton coach Rachael Grimes said. “We were looking forward to playing a quality opponent off the (holiday) break. When you play a team like Wellington, you are motivated. This gives us some good momentum and confidence heading into the playoffs.”

GARY CURRERI/CORRESPONDENT Junior forward Dayana Martin controls the ball during Boca Raton’s match against Wellington. She scored twice to bring her season total to 23.