Two Palm Beach County teams will play for state tournament berths tonight after winning their regional semifinal contests.
Park Vista will play in its first-ever regional championship game in girls soccer Friday. The Cobras (18-1) travel to Vero Beach for a Class 5A contest. (Photo by Daniel Owen)
Park Vista defeated Boca Raton 3-1 on Tuesday in Class 5A, and Boca Raton Christian shut out Saint John Paul II Academy 3-0 in Class 1A to advance.
Both teams will play their regional finals matches on the road. The Cobras play at perennial power Vero Beach, while Boca Raton Christian travels to Lakeland Christian.
Here’s our preview. Kickoff for both contests is 7 p.m.:
Class 5A
Park Vista (18-1) at Vero Beach (14-2-1): The Cobras have been a second-half team so far during regional play, scoring a total of seven goals after halftime in wins against Spanish River and Boca Raton. Park Vista was shut out in the first half in both of those games. The Cobras might need a quicker start against Vero Beach, though. The Indians are one of the state’s top teams, and have proved it this season. Vero Beach has lost twice; once to Montverde Academy and the other to district rival Jupiter. Both of those losses came more than a month ago. In their past five games, Vero Beach has outscored its opponents 22-1. But Parka Vista will be up to the task. The Cobras have speed and depth at all positions, plus strong veteran leadership in seniors Kaylyn Bryant and Carolynn Wotring. They are among six Park Vista players who are expected to sign with colleges next week. The Cobras are seeking their first-ever trip to the state tournament, and Vero Beach is the final hurdle. Expect a good one here.
Prediction: Park Vista 2-1
Class 1A
Boca Raton Christian (17-7) at Lakeland Christian (19-2-1): The Blazers have stepped it up in the postseason, winning their two regional games by a combined score of 7-2. But the Vikings will be a tough test. Lakeland Christian, a perennial power in girls soccer, has won six of its past seven games, and 19 overall. Boca Christian will have to find a way to shut down Lakeland Christian’s offense, which has scored seven or more goals in six of its past seven games. The Vikings’ main offensive threats are Bri Folds and Mary Peace, a sophomore forward/midfielder who recently committed to UF. Boca Raton Christian has been able to score this season, but not consistently. The Blazers have momentum, but road games rarely are easy in the playoffs.
Prediction: Lakeland Christian 3-0
