Soccer teams make early exit from postseason play

Nine West Orange County soccer teams went into the playoffs with a chance to make a substantial run in the postseason. That run has now come to an end, with all nine teams having been eliminated from postseason action. One team managed to reach the second round before elimination. 

GIRLS SOCCER 

FOUNDATION ACADEMY

Foundation Academy lost 4-3 to Circle Christian in a tightly contested game. 

The Lions trailed 3-1 coming to the end of the first half. Samantha Wall scored to make it 3-2 going into halftime, giving Foundation a chance to come back. 

That potential comeback was set back from a goal at the 57th minute by Circle to increase the lead to 4-2. Kaitlin Clark then scored to bring it back to a one-goal game, but the Lions could not find the equalizer in the final minutes as their season came to an end. 

THE FIRST ACADEMY

The First Academy lost to Lake Highland Prep by a final score of 2-0 one week after losing to the Highlanders in the district championship game. 

HORIZON

Horizon traveled to The Villages for a game against The Villages Charter and lost 2-1. The Hawks trailed at the end of the first half 2-0. Although they managed to get a goal in the second half, the Hawks could not find the tying goal. 

WINDERMERE 

Coming off a district championship, Windermere hosted a first-round game in the Class 7A tournament against Lakewood Ranch. The Wolverines lost a close game in second overtime by a final score of 2-1. 

Windermere scored first on a goal from Miya Sketteberg and went into halftime up 1-0. 

Lakewood Ranch then came back to score in the second-half to tie the game and force overtime. Neither team could score in the first period of extra time, thus requiring a second overtime. 

The Mustangs ended the game with a goal in that second period of extra time. 

BOYS SOCCER

FOUNDATION ACADEMY

The Foundation Academy boys soccer team won its first-round game in the Class 2A tournament against Faith Christian by a score of 5-2. 

Senior Ian Garcia scored two goals and had two assists. His teammate Wyatt Wapole also scored two goals to help pace the Lions to victory. 

In the team’s second-round matchup with Circle Christian, the game was tied at 3 at the end of regulation. Both overtimes failed to yield the winning goal, so the game would be decided in penalty kicks. 

The Lions’ run came to an end as they lost 4-3 in penalties. 

LEGACY CHARTER

Legacy lost to All Saints’ Academy 1-0 in its first-round game. 

OLYMPIA

After a scoreless regulation, the game between Olympia and Class 7A No. 1 seed Lakewood Ranch went into penalties, which the Mustangs won 5-3. 

DR. PHILLIPS

Dr. Phillips traveled to Tampa for a first-round game with Plant High School and lost 4-1. 

HORIZON

A week after losing to McKeel Academy in the district championship game, the Horizon Hawks got a second crack at the Wildcats in the first round of the Class 4A tournament. 

The second time did not prove to be the charm, however, as the Hawks lost in overtime 2-1.