Who's gonna win? Our picks to win boys and girls soccer district championships in SWFL

The postseason has arrived for boys and girls soccer as teams will start playing this week for district titles and to gain entry into the FHSAA regional brackets.

We analyzed each of Southwest Florida's eight districts and tried to break down which teams will be lifting hardware at the end. Soccer state championships for boys and girls will be split this season, as 2A, 3A, and 4A will be at the Lake Myrtle Sports Complex in Auburndale on Feb. 20-24 while 5A, 6A, and 7A will return to DeLand's Spec Martin Stadium on Feb. 27 - March 2.

GIRLS SOCCER

Class 7A-District 8

1. North Port

2. Lakewood Ranch

3. Riverview

4. Venice

5. Sarasota

6. Lehigh

Analysis: This district is largely comprised of our neighbors to the north in Sarasota County along with Lehigh, who enters district play as the No. 6 seed. North Port has been in a handful of close contests this year, most recently a 2-1 win over fourth-seeded Venice. Lakewood Ranch may be the No. 2 seed, but beat North Port head-to-head but lost and drew with Venice during the season. The Bobcats have the best offense of anyone in the district, but could very well find themselves getting bounced in the semifinals by Venice if the Indians put together a solid gameplan.

Our pick to win: Lakewood Ranch

Class 6A-District 12

1. Fort Myers

2. Riverdale

3. Palmetto Ridge

4. Charlotte

5. Ida Baker

6. Immokalee

Analysis: The district is a smidge less competitive on the whole compared to 7A-8, as Fort Myers will go into tournament play as a clear favorite followed by Riverdale. The Green Wave defeated No. 2 seed Raiders on the road 1-0 earlier this month and will get a chance to win the district to secure a playoff bid in a competitive region. Giana D'Altrui scored the game-winning goal in the first matchup, while Kailani Casazza is closing in on double-figure goals and assists. Riverdale's trio of Natalie Grant, Bailey Trosterud, and Skylar Hubbard (combined 45 goals, 30 assists) will look to break through and get hot when it matters.

Our pick to win: Fort Myers

Class 5A-District 11

1. Mariner

2. North Fort Myers

3. Cape Coral

4. Cypress Lake

5. Dunbar

6. South Fort Myers

7. Island Coast

Analysis: This district hasn't changed much, as Mariner and North Fort Myers are likely to meet once again in what's been a series of classics over the years. Mariner will look to preserve its status as the No. 1 team in Class 5A, while North Fort Myers will look to avenge last year's 3-0 regional final loss along with a 2-1 loss earlier this season. North has not beaten Mariner in its last six tries in regulation, needing penalty kicks in the 2022 and 2023 district title games to beat the Tritons. North enters district play having allowed just two goals in their last six games since losing to Mariner in December. Jami Hagy's group will enter district play having put together four consecutive clean sheets against Barron Collier, Naples, Cape Coral, and Vero Beach, making this district a tricky one to pick. Mariner has been the more battle-tested team, having played five teams ranked inside the statewide top 25. Keep an eye on Cape Coral to play with some extra juice as well, as the Seahawks are the first team out in Class 5A-Region 3 and will likely need an upset over North Fort Myers to make the postseason.

Our pick to win: Mariner

Class 5A-District 12

1. Barron Collier

2. Naples

3. Gulf Coast

4. Lely

5. East Lee County

6. Bonita Springs

7. Golden Gate

Analysis: This district welcomes Gulf Coast into the fold as the Sharks downsized two classes and are in with a host of their Collier County counterparts following the opening of Aubrey Rogers. Barron Collier and Naples, which duked it out twice already this season, could be in line for a third matchup after the Cougars took the first two matchups, most recently a 2-0 win in the CCAC title game. Naples played a strong middle 40 in that game, which they'll need to replicate to try and dethrone the Cougars from winning back-to-back district titles. Barron's ability to hold Naples to just one goal over 160 minutes this year is encouraging, as Naples has scored just one goal over the last 240 minutes against playoff opponents in the Cougars, Mariner, and North Fort Myers. Aaron Thayer's group is well-positioned to capture another district championship while locking down a playoff berth.

Our pick to win: Barron Collier

Class 4A-District 12

1. Aubrey Rogers

2. Lemon Bay

3. Estero

4. Gateway

5. LaBelle

6. Hardee

7. DeSoto County

Analysis: In a district that has been dominated by Estero as of late, there's a new team on the block that's vying for its first district crown: Aubrey Rogers. The Patriots lead all of Southwest Florida with just four goals allowed and 12 shutouts, making it tough for anyone in the district to get past the first-year program this season. Omar Rodriguez's group should add at least one shutout to their resume in district play while bringing home district hardware in the process, as Lemon Bay sits at 6-9-2 with a minus-3 goal differential on the season, but has played twice as tough of a schedule than Aubrey Rogers (plus-49 goal differential).

Our pick to win: Aubrey Rogers

Class 3A-District 8

1. Bishop Verot

2. St. Petersburg Catholic

3. Oasis

4. Cardinal Mooney

5. Gateway Charter

Analysis: In what is set to be the least competitive district on the girls side, Bishop Verot comes in looking to capture a district title under first-year coach Acelya Aydogmus, and should have no problems in doing so. The Vikings downed Seacrest 6-1 in the Private 8 title game on Friday without star midfielder Caroline Pelkofski, proving the offense can still make things happen without the USF commit. St. Petersburg Catholic has had some positive results down the stretch, but has yet to play a team ranked inside the top 100 statewide this season. That'll change if it gets to the title game, likely needing a win over Verot to make it into the postseason.

Our pick to win: Bishop Verot

Class 2A-District 11

1. Out-of-Door

2. Canterbury

3. Evangelical Christian

4. Imagine School

5. SFCA

6. Sarasota Christian

Analysis: Will Out-of-Door continue its perfect season? That's the question, as the Thunder are the No. 1 seed with a 12-0-1 record but have a -1.09 strength of schedule, which could open the door for one of our local teams in Canterbury and Evangelical Christian. The Cougars are hot, having not lost to a team aside from Bishop Verot since mid-November. Paolo Acosta's group is peaking at the right time but will have to deny Evangelical Christian in a prospective district semifinal contest. The Sentinels lost in the Private 8 semis to Seacrest but were without leading scorer Alexa Bereczki (27 goals, 13 assists), who committed to Nova Southeastern over the weekend. If ECS gets past Canterbury, they'll look to take down Out-of-Door after losing 2-0 earlier this season.

Our pick to win: Canterbury

Class 2A-District 12

1. Seacrest Country Day

2. First Baptist

3. Community School

4. St. John Neumann

5. Marco Island Academy

6. Donahue Catholic

Analysis: It looks as if 2A-12 could be a one-team district when it comes to making the postseason, as Seacrest is the lone team in if the playoffs started today. The Stingrays will enter as the No. 1 seed having finished the regular season 12-5-1. Its biggest challenger, First Baptist, will look to beat Community School a fourth time this season should the Seahawks beat Donahue in the first round. Stopping Seacrest's Brooke Shefsky has been a problem all season, as she's recorded a point in 14 of their 18 games so far this year.

Our pick to win: Seacrest Country Day

BOYS SOCCER

Class 7A-District 8

1. Riverview

2. North Port

3. Sarasota

4. Lakewood Ranch

5. Venice

6. Lehigh

Analysis: Dominated by Sarasota County schools, expect the district title to be won up north. Riverview enters district play as the top seed, having played and lost to Lely and Mariner. On the other hand, the Rams are the only team that beat North Port, Sarasota, Lakewood Ranch, and Venice, as the team has the inside track to securing a playoff bid along with a district title. The bigger storyline to watch is North Port and Sarasota, as the two teams will likely be vying for a playoff bid before regional rankings drop two Sundays from now.

Our pick to win: Riverview

Class 6A-District 12

1. Fort Myers

2. Immokalee

3. Palmetto Ridge

4. Ida Baker

5. Charlotte

6. Riverdale

Analysis: If you're looking for a district that has the potential for pure chaos, this is it. Fort Myers might be the top seed but were only plus-1 on goal differential in games against Immokalee (1-0), Palmetto Ridge (2-1), and Riverdale (1-0) while drawing with Ida Baker (1-1) and beating Charlotte 5-0. The Green Wave nor Immokalee are sure things to take home the crown, as this district could be in line for first- and second-round upsets. Immokalee is hot though, riding a seven-game win streak with notable wins over Palmetto Ridge, Mariner, and Lely. The Indians fell short to the Greenies in November and could be in a position to get redemption, this time for a trophy and a playoff berth. Despite being 4-8-4, Palmetto Ridge has been competitive in every game they've played this season, having allowed three goals or fewer in each of their games. Ida Baker has been spotty down the stretch, tying Fort Myers but also tying a winless Clewiston team just last week. To put it plainly, anything is possible in this district.

Our pick to win: Immokalee

Class 5A-District 11

1. Mariner

2. Cape Coral

3. North Fort Myers

4. Dunbar

5. South Fort Myers

6. Cypress Lake

7. Island Coast

Analysis: This district primarily features schools west of US 41, headlined by Mariner and Cape Coral. The Tritons earned the top seed after finishing the regular season with a record of 15-6-3. All things considered, the Seahawks put together a solid season at 9-5-3, grabbing quality wins over Bishop Verot, Bonita Springs, and North Fort Myers. Don't be shocked if we see the Cape Coral Clásico a third time for the district title, as the Tritons and Seahawks are well-positioned to square off. North Fort Myers has shown massive improvement, going 7-7-5 in the regular season after going 5-67-7 over their previous four seasons. Keep an eye on North Fort Myers potentially playing spoiler in the tournament and potentially getting to a title game.

Our pick to win: Mariner

Class 5A-District 12

1. Barron Collier

2. Naples

3. Golden Gate

4. Lely

5. Gulf Coast

6. Bonita Springs

7. East Lee County

Analysis: Featuring three teams ranked inside the top 30 statewide, 5A-12 is arguably the best district in Southwest Florida regardless of class. It's headlined by an undefeated Barron Collier squad that's 11-0-2 with draws to Golden Gate and Fort Myers. The Cougars will get the winner of Lely and Gulf Coast in the second round, avoiding what's expected to be an intense and competitive bout between Naples and Golden Gate, assuming both teams handle business in the first round. Regardless of the outcome, Barron, Naples, Golden Gate, and Lely are all safely in the postseason. Until the Cougars lose, they deserve to be favored to take home a district crown under John Damasco.

Our pick to win: Barron Collier

Class 4A-District 12

1. DeSoto County

2. LaBelle

3. Gateway

4. Aubrey Rogers

5. Lemon Bay

6. Estero

7. Hardee

Analysis: A district that involves a handful of rural schools and smaller ones in Southwest Florida, DeSoto County will look to build off of last season's district title before the Bulldogs were bounced in the postseason earlier than expected. LaBelle and Gateway at this point will also contend but are playing for regional seeding, as both squads are safely in. Whoever gets the third seed will likely host a first-round game, while the fourth seed is likely to hit the road. Aubrey Rogers will look to hang on, as the Patriots are vying with Robinson and Mulberry for a spot in the big dance.

Our pick to win: DeSoto County

Class 3A-District 8

1. Bishop Verot

2. St. Petersburg Catholic

3. Cardinal Mooney

4. Oasis

5. Gateway Charter

Analysis: Winning has been a theme on Sunrise Drive for the Verot boys soccer team, as the program is hunting its sixth straight district title. Coach Daniel Vazquez has gone perfect in pursuing district titles during his time at Verot, and nothing suggests that the Vikings will have trouble winning No. 6 this cycle. St. Petersburg Catholic and Cardinal Mooney will face off in a district semifinal game, while Verot awaits the winner of Oasis and Gateway Charter. The Sharks did give Verot a close game in the regular season, only losing 1-0 on Nov. 30. Last season in the district tournament, the Vikings won 6-1 over the Sharks.

Our pick to win: Bishop Verot

Class 2A-District 11

1. Canterbury

2. Out-of-Door

3. Evangelical Christian

4. SFCA

5. Classical Academy of Sarasota

6. Sarasota Christian

Analysis: The well-oiled machine that is the Canterbury boys soccer program continues to find success. Jared Rust has the program in a solid position, currently 11-4-2 and ranked inside the top 5 in Class 2A once again as the team looks to make it to a fourth consecutive state title game. Before Friday's loss to Bishop Verot in the Private 8 title game, Canterbury hadn't lost since Nov. 29, as the program picked up multiple shutouts and solid wins down the stretch. This year's team may not be as explosive offensively as the ones in years past that got them to DeLand, but they're winning, and that's what matters. The rest of the field all have negative strength of schedule ratings, while Canterbury's is the only one that's net positive. Out-of-Door will be the likely opponent, as the team beat SFCA 2-0, Evangelical Christian 4-1, and Sarasota Christian 7-0.

Our pick to win: Canterbury

Class 2A-District 12

1. First Baptist

2. Community School

3. Donahue Catholic

4. Seacrest Country Day

5. Marco Island Academy

6. St. John Neumann

7. Village School

Analysis: This is a tricky district that could see four teams potentially hoist district hardware. First Baptist and CSN split the season series right down the middle, as both teams won once and drew once. Donahue Catholic was competitive in games against both CSN and FBA, losing to the Lions 3-2 while drawing 2-2 with the Seahawks but also losing 2-0. Seacrest might be 2-9-5, but drew with both Community School and First Baptist, while also losing to each team once. This district feels similar to 6A-12 on the boys' side, as it could be any given day for these squads and their respective quests to lock down a playoff berth.

Our pick to win: First Baptist

Follow Sports Reporter Alex Martin on X: @NP_AlexMartin. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.

This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Soccer Districts: Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Naples area boys and girls champion picks