Girls district soccer wrap: Bartram Trail, Episcopal, St. Johns among tournament champions

Ali Fletcher had run and run for 99 minutes, but when the road to goal opened up, she found just enough energy left in the tank to write her name in Bartram Trail history.

"I just felt it after I shot it," she said. "I could feel like it was perfect."

The Bartram Trail midfielder launched a blast to remember moments from the end of the second extra-time period, defeating formerly-unbeaten Creekside 2-1 to win the Florida High School Athletic Association District 1-7A girls soccer final at Tocoi Creek.

Moments after Bears goalkeeper Lily Holden had stopped a shot at the other end, Fletcher advanced up the right wing and lashed a 25-yard shot into the roof of the net.

That capped the latest classic in the Battle of Longleaf Pine, matching the last four FHSAA champions at the class (Bartram Trail in 2020, 2021 and 2023, and Creekside in 2022).

"They just didn't quit," Bartram Trail coach Jen Rodriguez said.

Creekside (11-1-2), playing without injured UCLA-committed midfielder Avery Robinson, broke through in the 61st minute when Chloe Iliff slalomed through two Bears and delivered a cross for Samantha Colvin to finish.

But Bartram Trail (14-4-1) struck back with four minutes to go after a turnover, when Macey Millard crossed from the right and Brooke Gosse buried a bullet header into the net.

The St. Johns County rivals, who tied 0-0 in November, might meet yet again in the Class 7A regionals later this month. Creekside, Bartram Trail and unbeaten Lake Mary entered the week ranked first through third in the FHSAA ranking formula used to determine seeding.

"They want to be equal to [prior Bartram Trail teams], if not better," Rodriguez said. "They have the same goals."

DISTRICT 3-6A

Junior forward Quinlee Irwin found the net twice, keeper Audrey Johnson nailed down a shutout and nationally-ranked Ponte Vedra won 3-0 against Battle of the Bridge rival Nease (11-3-3) in Wednesday's district final at Fletcher.

Ranked fifth nationwide by the United Soccer Coaches, Ponte Vedra (17-1-1) is expected to receive the FHSAA's No. 1 overall seed entering the regional tournament.

DISTRICT 2-5A

Tallahassee Lincoln girls soccer defeated Clay 4-2 to claim a second straight District 2-5A title.

Lincoln jumped ahead early in the first half after a goal from Rosemary Lopez, and after that, it never looked back. Tizrah Holly also scored and Natalie Nelson netted two en route to the victory.

Picking up a first district title in eight years last season, the Trojans (13-5-1) now have two district crowns in as many seasons. Madison Quang and Danica Nguyen scored late for Clay (12-2-1).

Liam Rooney/Tallahassee Democrat

DISTRICT 3-5A

Peyton Thomas struck a hat trick and Beachside wrapped up its first-ever district girls soccer championship on Wednesday night, rolling 8-0 past Orange Park (14-2).

Parker Smith, Marissa Silva, Ayla Kiziltas, Bella Duenas and Ashlyn Heck also scored for the Barracudas (10-5-2).

DISTRICT 2-4A

Maggie Boone blasted the decisive penalty kick in a shootout to lift top-seeded Alachua Santa Fe to a 4-2 tiebreaker win over Suwannee (7-11-2), after regulation and overtime finished 0-0.

Goalkeeper Riley Baker set up Boone's winner for the Raiders (8-6-1) with a save in the shootout.

DISTRICT 3-4A

Senior midfielder Emma Griner scored twice and winger Kimberly Norton added the third as Gateway Conference champion Stanton (12-5-2) held off Fernandina Beach 3-2 in Wednesday's district final.

Sarah Benjamin struck both goals for the Pirates (11-4-1), who battled back from a halftime hole.

DISTRICT 4-4A

Eiley Fennell's hat trick sparked Bishop Kenny to a repeat district championship in a mercy-rule 8-0 win over visiting Paxon (8-8-1).

Isabel Alejandro-Blanco ended with two goals for Bishop Kenny (12-5-1), while Anna Perry and Bella Pratchard each scored once.

DISTRICT 3-3A

After 99 minutes of soccer, Ava Witt broke through for the game-winning goal to boost Episcopal (12-6-1) to the comeback victory over Wolfson, 2-1 in overtime.

The Eagles forced the extra session when Charlotte Ritter tied the game in the 77th minute. Zoey Cooler had struck first for Wolfson (9-7-3), which was seeking its first district title on record for more than two decades.

DISTRICT 4-3A

Faith Hardy's hat trick helped top-seeded P.K. Yonge roll 5-0 past Keystone Heights (12-6-1) in a district final played at Williston.

Paulina Cervantes and Marleigh Schackow also scored for the Blue Wave (13-3-3).

DISTRICT 3-2A

Sydney Schmidt, Cece Nowicki and Reygan Ropero each scored twice and St. Johns Country Day continued its pursuit of another state title, 8-0 over Christ's Church (8-5-1).

Camila Adame and Savannah Berrang also scored for the Spartans (12-2-5), winners of 11 FHSAA championships in a row from 2012 to 2022.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Jacksonville girls soccer district tournaments: 2023-24 roundup