Boca Raton last played in the girls soccer state semifinals in 2010. Oxbridge Academy never advanced that far in its short history.
Boca Raton will play Miami-Our Lady of the Lourdes Academy Friday for a berth in the Class 5A state championship game. The Bobcats last played for a state title in 2010. (Photo by Michael Ares)
Both will take the field tonight for the chance to play for a state championship next week in DeLand.
The undefeated Bobcats travel to Miami to face Our Lady of Lourdes Academy, while the ThunderWolves host Tampa-Academy of the Holy Names.
Here’s our preview. Both games are scheduled to kick off at 7 p.m.
Class 5A
Boca Raton (24-0) at Miami-Lourdes Academy (21-2-1): The Bobcats trailed for the first time all season in their regional final against 2016 state semifinalist Vero Beach last Friday, but scored six unanswered goals to pull away for a 6-1 win. Dayana Martin scored her 38th goal in the victory, while Kendra Cashion notched her 32nd and 33rd goals for the Bobcats, who last played in the state semifinals in 2010. They could be tested by Lourdes – also the Bobcats – which defeated Weston-Cypress Bay 1-0 last Friday to earn its second consecutive trip to the state final four. Lourdes shut out all three of its regional opponents, and could be a tough defensive challenge for Boca Raton, which outscored its three regional opponents 13-3.
Prediction: Boca Raton 2-1
Class 2A
Tampa-Academy of the Holy Names (18-2-2) at Oxbridge Academy (13-1-2): The ThunderWolves get the home game after traveling to Miami last week to face Carrollton in the regional finals. Oxbridge got two goals from Allison Breed and another from Mackenzie Fazio to prevail 3-1 against the Cyclones after trailing at halftime. Oxbridge also trailed at halftime in its regional semifinal against American Heritage before rallying to win. The ThunderWolves will try to avoid playing from behind against the Jaguars, who are ranked No. 11 in the state by MaxPreps, and won their three regional games by a combined 10-2. Expect a close one here.
Prediction: Oxbridge Academy 1-0
