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Kickoff time: St. Johns County girls soccer district tournaments begin this week

clayton freeman, jacksonville florida times-union
·4 min read

The Florida High School Athletic Association girls soccer district tournaments for 2023-24 kick off Wednesday. The Record looks ahead to this year's districts across St. Johns County. Ordinal rankings within each region are in parentheses. Schedules are as listed by the FHSAA or host schools, but are subject to change.

DISTRICT 1-7A

Bartram Trail forward Brooke Gosse (11) dribbles along the sideline against Creekside during a November game.
Bartram Trail forward Brooke Gosse (11) dribbles along the sideline against Creekside during a November game.

Late rounds at Tocoi Creek

Schedule: Jan. 25, Sandalwood at Atlantic Coast, 7 p.m.; Mandarin at Tocoi Creek, 7 p.m.; Jan. 30, Sandalwood-Atlantic Coast winner vs. Bartram Trail, 5:40 p.m.; Mandarin-Tocoi Creek winner vs. Creekside, 7:30 p.m.; Feb. 1, championship, 7 p.m.

Region rankings: No. 1 Creekside, No. 2 Bartram Trail, No. 4 Atlantic Coast, No. 10 Tocoi Creek, No. 12 Mandarin, No. 19 Sandalwood.

The top seed: Creekside. At 10-0-2, the 2022 champions are rolling into the playoffs on fire. Avery Robinson (UCLA commit), Chloe Iliff (Lipscomb) and Alana Maki are top performers in an attack that's tough for anyone to contain.

Bubble team: Tocoi Creek. Nobody should underestimate the Toros (6-7-4), who field a future SEC keeper in Tennessee commit Morgan Weaver. Chasing Lake Brantley and West Orange for at-large berths, Tocoi Creek may need to advance to the title game in order to qualify for regionals.

Player to watch: Try two in this district. Bartram Trail's Carolyn Johnson gives the Bears their midfield drive in pursuit of a fourth state championship in five years, and Atlantic Coast's Kentucky-signed goalkeeper Gaby Rourke can change the game from anywhere, including shots on the opposing net.

DISTRICT 3-6A

Nease midfielder Piper Crecco (27) controls a high ball during a Jan. 17 game against Creekside.
Nease midfielder Piper Crecco (27) controls a high ball during a Jan. 17 game against Creekside.

Late rounds at Fletcher

Schedule: Jan. 25, First Coast at Fletcher, 6 p.m.; Oakleaf at Fleming Island, 6:30 p.m.; Jan. 29, Oakleaf-Fleming Island winner vs. Ponte Vedra, 5:30 p.m.; First Coast-Fletcher winner vs. Nease, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 31, championship, 7 p.m.

Region rankings: No. 1 Ponte Vedra, No. 6 Nease, No. 9 Fletcher, No. 12 Fleming Island, No. 15 Oakleaf, No. 22 First Coast.

The top seed: Ponte Vedra. Ranked first overall in Florida, the Sharks enter with sky-high confidence after beating Montverde Saturday. They're favorites in the district and beyond, fielding a proven keeper in Audrey Johnson from the 2021 state champions and a whirlwind front trio of Natalie Brooks, Jenny Dearie and Lily Morse.

Bubble team: Fletcher. Because one playoff berth is reserved for the winners of the weaker District 4-6A, it's a nervous week for the Gateway Conference runners-up. With two FHSAA rating points to make up, Fletcher needs to win its district final and hope for Gulf Breeze to stumble against Pace.

Player to watch: Jess Morley, Nease. The Panthers' center forward chases down balls with near-unquenchable stamina, creating plenty of goals for the surprising Panthers. Nease might qualify as an at-large team regardless of district tournament results, but with a semifinal win, they can breathe easier.

DISTRICT 3-5A

Beachside forward Peyton Thomas (5) dribbles upfield during the 2023 Class 4A playoffs. The Barracudas move up to Class 5A this year and enter districts as a top seed.
Beachside forward Peyton Thomas (5) dribbles upfield during the 2023 Class 4A playoffs. The Barracudas move up to Class 5A this year and enter districts as a top seed.

Late rounds at Menendez

Schedule: Jan. 24, Englewood at St. Augustine, 6 p.m.; Parker at Menendez, 6 p.m.; Riverside at Orange Park, 6 p.m.; Jan. 29, Parker-Menendez winner vs. Riverside-Orange Park winner, 5:30 p.m.; Englewood-St. Augustine winner vs. Beachside, 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 31, championship, 7 p.m.

Region rankings: No. 3 Beachside, No. 5 Orange Park, No. 12 Menendez, No. 16 St. Augustine, No. 20 Englewood, No. 23 Parker, No. 24 Riverside.

The top seed: Beachside. Watch those wings. That's where Peyton Thomas and Emma Martins are finding the net in front of all-around midfielders Ayla Kiziltas, coming off a five-goal week, and Bella Duenas. Among Class 5A teams, only Plantation American Heritage has a tougher schedule.

Area bubble team: None. Beachside and Orange Park are safe, and everyone else must win the district tournament to keep their season alive.

Player to watch: Rylynn Robinson, Orange Park. Fast on the counterattack, the sophomore has continued to step up as a potent scoring threat with 19 goals this season, joining older sister Ryanne Robinson (23 goals) in an effective combination.

DISTRICT 3-2A

At higher seed

Schedule: Jan. 30, St. Joseph vs. St. Johns Country Day, 6 p.m.; University Christian vs. Christ's Church, 6 p.m.; Feb. 1, championship, 6 p.m.

Region rankings: No. 1 St. Johns Country Day, No. 2 Christ's Church, No. 4 University Christian, No. 9 St. Joseph.

The top seed: St. Johns Country Day. No doubt about this one. Stung by last year's upset loss to Lakeland Christian, which ended their 11-year title streak, the Spartans have responded vigorously against a schedule ranked as the nation's hardest. Striker Sydney Schmidt is a scoring machine of late.

Bubble team: St. Joseph. This district could realistically send four teams to the postseason, including the Flashes, who field 14-goal freshman Belle Alford. For now, they're 0.098 points behind Seven Rivers Christian for the last spot.

Player to watch: Landry Kelley, Christ's Church. A direct and speedy finisher, the senior needs one more goal to reach 20 for the Eagles this year and netted 36 as a sophomore in 2021-22.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: St. Johns County high school girls soccer district tournament previews