Five giant games: Northeast Florida second-round FHSAA high school girls soccer previews
The Florida High School Athletic Association continues girls soccer regional tournaments with Friday's semifinals for Classes 5A through 7A.
All games 7 p.m. Friday unless noted
REGION 1-7A
Lake Mary (15-0-4) at Creekside (12-1-2)
5 p.m.
The Knights didn't show any ill effects from their district loss to Bartram Trail, bouncing back for four goals — even one from goalkeeper Hailey Smith — against Winter Park. Lily Paisant assisted two Creekside goals and Sarah Weisberg set up another in that one. Brooke Susi, Ava McKay and Lindsay Sheets are the top attacking threats for a Lake Mary team that's been in buzzsaw mode. Creekside beat Lake Mary on penalty kicks last year.
Oviedo Hagerty (14-0-3) at Bartram Trail (15-4-1)
Hagerty's goals scored: 71. Goals allowed: 8. A tough task awaits the reigning champion Bears, who needed 30 minutes before Carolyn Johnson's goal opened the floodgates against Lake Brantley. But team depth is an undoubted strength for Bartram Trail, and Florida-committed keeper Lily Holden is allowing barely half a goal per game. Megan O'Donnell (16 goals) and Valeria Romero (18 goals) link up as top scorers for Hagerty.
REGION 1-6A
Nease (12-3-3) at Niceville (15-2-4)
5 p.m.
Another Panhandle trip awaits for Nease, who defeated Navarre in overtime for their first postseason win since 2019. One more Panthers win would mean a first regional final trip since winning it all in 2008. Sophia Edwards (17 goals, 12 assists) heads the attack for Niceville, which has outscored opponents by a combined 73-16.
Tallahassee Chiles (12-4-3) at Ponte Vedra (18-1-1)
6 p.m.
Giants collide in Ponte Vedra. The Sharks, ranked No. 1 overall in Florida, threaten from all sides in attack with junior Jenny Dearie leading the line and sophomores Lily Morse, Natalie Brooks and Izzy Whitaker attacking outside. But Chiles owns wins over the likes of St. Johns Country Day, and in Kyra Swart (18 goals, 11 assists), they have one of the state's most productive sophomore attackers.
REGION 1-5A
Clay (13-2-1) at Beachside (11-5-2)
Someone is about to make history: Beachside has never reached a regional final, and Clay last made it in 2001. Brooke Bunton and Kirra Dodson keep scoring and scoring for the Blue Devils, up to 88 goals. Barracudas winger Emma Martins netted the deciding goal in Beachside's first playoff win on Tuesday against Ocala Vanguard. The winner advances to play Friday against Tallahassee Lincoln or Fort Walton Beach.
This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville high school girls soccer second-round preview
