Gulf Breeze, Pace, Navarre soccer teams fall in region quarterfinal matchups | AREA ROUNDUP

Just two area soccer teams remain alive in the regional tournament after Tuesday. Lacrosse and tennis also continued the starts to the spring sports season.

Here's a roundup of area games that happened on Tuesday, Feb. 13.

See your team's scores or stats missing? Be sure to update MaxPreps regularly, or report scores to sports reporter Ben Grieco at bgrieco@gannett.com. This will be updated as more results are posted.

Boys soccer

Nease 1, Gulf Breeze 0: The Dolphins were shut out on the road to end their 2023-24 campaign in the Region 1-6A quarterfinals.

Once ranked third overall in the state, Gulf Breeze ends the season on a five-game losing streak which started on Jan. 11 against Booker T. Washington. For the third time in those five games, Gulf Breeze was shutout.

The Dolphins fell in the District 1-6A semifinals after a penalty kick shootout loss to Navarre, but gained an at-large bid into the regional tournament.

Max Roberti scored the game's lone goal for Nease, while goalkeeper Evan Miriello made seven saves to preserve the clean sheet. No individual stats for Gulf Breeze were reported.

The Dolphins close out the year with a 12-6-1 overall record.

Girls soccer

Ponte Vedra 2, Gulf Breeze 0: Gulf Breeze's road trip to Florida's east coast stopped about 10 miles short of the Atlantic Ocean, but it still ended in a Shark attack.

"That was our game plan, to just kind of draw back a little bit and stay organized," Gulf Breeze head coach Albert Gatica said, "but (Ponte Vedra is) good enough to find some holes."

Two holes too many for Gulf Breeze.

Florida's current top-ranked Class 6A girls soccer team ended Gulf Breeze's championship reign when Ponte Vedra beat the Dolphins in the Region 1-6A quarterfinals on Tuesday.

A whirlwind front trio broke through with sophomore right winger Lily Morse netting both goals for the Sharks (18-1-1), ranked No. 1 statewide by the FHSAA.

The Sharks' strikers finally connected in the 26th minute when left winger Natalie Brooks zipped down the sideline and curled a cross for Morse to volley home from close range. A half hour later, following sustained Sharks pressure, Morse finished another one, after center forward Jenny Dearie slalomed through three Dolphins and chipped a pass into the box.

"The biggest challenge is trying to defend all the weapons that they have," Gatica said. "They're a fast, physical team."

Ponte Vedra's back line of Hadley Conway, Alia Soares, Lulu Consunji and Natalie McCann did the rest, keeping the Dolphins without a dangerous shot on target until Amelia Jacobs forced Sharks keeper Audrey Johnson into a diving save in the 77th minute.

The defeat ends the season for the Dolphins, who took on a schedule ranked as the hardest in Florida by the FHSAA.

"I can't stop talking about how proud I am of how they played and the effort that they gave, not only tonight but all season," Gatica said.

—Clayton Freeman (Florida Times-Union)

Nease 2, Navarre 1: An own goal in the 106th minute while in overtime wound up being the difference-maker, as the Raiders fell in the Region 1-6A quarterfinals at Bennett C. Russell Stadium.

Navarre opened the scoring in the 61st minute with a goal from Leeyana Knop, assisted by Cici Buffalino. But Nease responded 11 minutes later to tie the game.

No one scored in the remainder of regulation and the game went to overtime. Navarre recorded an own goal in the second overtime period, which wound up being the game-deciding goal for Nease.

The Raiders finish the year with a 15-6-2 overall record. Nease advances to the Region 1-6A semifinals at No. 2 Niceville.

Chiles 5, Pace 1: A three-goal second half from Chiles proved to be too much for the Patriots in the Region 1-6A quarterfinals.

Pace trailed 2-1 going into halftime, but the Timberwolves' offense exploded in the second frame to secure victory.

No individual stats for Pace were reported. Kyra Swart led Chiles with two goals and an assist. Cadence West, Charlotte Reynolds and Reagan Wolfe rounded out Chiles' scoring.

Abigail Pickens made three saves in net for the win.

Pace finishes out the year with a 9-6-1 overall record.

Girls lacrosse

Booker T. Washington 16, Pensacola 1: Wildcats' junior Summer Glatt scored half of her team's goals as Booker T. Washington made a statement in its season-opening game.

Booker T. posted a shutout in the first half, leading 11-0, before a lower-scoring second frame to round out the final 16-1 score.

Glatt finished the game with eight goals. Caroline Creedon (4) and Bella Samuel (3) also had multi-goal games. Julia De La Piedra scored one goal in the game.

In net, Sophie Thompson made four saves allowing just one goal.

Nay Neuhaus scored Pensacola's one goal. In net, Emma Means made 14 saves on 30 shots.

The Tigers host Niceville on Thursday at 6 p.m. Booker T. (1-0) doesn't play again until next week at Pensacola Catholic on Feb. 22 at 6 p.m.

Niceville 16, Navarre 9: A dominant first half from the Eagles gave them the breathing room and insurance to secure victory against Navarre.

Niceville lead 12-4 at halftime. Navarre outscored the Eagles, 5-4, in the second half, but couldn't muster a comeback.

Ravyn Jimenez scored four goals for the Raiders. Marialys Dekom added three goals. Rozlyn Palmer (1 goal, 2 assists) also had a multi-point night. Kerra Mavity rounded out the scoring.

In net, Kaylin Gonzalez made four saves on 21 shots. Jenna Bauridel stopped three shots, allowing six goals.

Navarre (0-1) travels to Milton on Wednesday for a 6 p.m. match.

Pensacola Catholic 19, Seacoast Collegiate 2: Another offensive onslaught from the Crusaders gave them their second win of the season.

No quarter-by-quarter scores were available. Individual stats were not provided.

Pensacola Catholic (2-0) hosts Buchholz on Friday at 5:30 p.m.

Boys lacrosse

North Bay Haven 19, Pensacola 4: The Buccaneers bounced back after a tough loss on Monday.

On Tuesday at Pensacola, North Bay Haven was dominant, putting up 19 goals during the game. No half-by-half scores were provided.

Individual stats were not available.

Pensacola (0-1) goes to Fort Walton Beach on Friday for a 6 p.m. game.

Pensacola Catholic 21, West Florida 2: It was a case of déjà vu for the Crusaders, who recorded another 21-2 win for the second consecutive time this season.

No quarter-by-quarter scores were provided. Individual stats were not available.

West Florida (0-1) hosts Maclay on Thursday at 7 p.m. Pensacola Catholic (2-0) goes against St. Thomas More (Louisiana) on Thursday at 6 p.m.

Girls tennis

Jay 6, Freeport 1: The Royals won their second match of the 2024 season on Tuesday.

For Jay, Hannah Kersey won first singles (8-2), Ansley Steele took second singles (8-4), Ariel Peterson claimed third singles (8-2) and Kenley Smith secured fifth singles (8-4). In doubles action, Kersey and Steele won first doubles (8-2) while Peterson and Lani Stephens won second doubles (8-4).

Jay (2-0) goes to West Florida next Tuesday.

Boys tennis

Freeport 7, Jay 0: The Royals were shutout for their first loss of the season.

Freeport's winners included: Nathan Alexander in first singles (9-7), Landon Harvey in second singles (8-5), Addison Dunn in third singles (8-1), Agustin Ortman in fourth singles (8-1) and Alex Swinehart in fifth singles (9-7).

In first doubles, Alexander and Dunn won 8-1; and in second doubles, Harvey and Ortman won 8-5.

Jay (1-1) travels to West Florida next Tuesday.

This article originally appeared on Pensacola News Journal: Gulf Breeze boys soccer loses fifth consecutive game to end season