A close match in the district tournament
The Spanish River High School girls soccer team advanced to the district final after a narrow win over Olympic Heights High School on Monday, Jan 30, 2023. The Sharks scored the only goal of the match in the first half, thanks to a brilliant run by sophomore Sara Hersowitz and a finish by senior Alessia Saia. The Lions fought hard to equalize, but the Sharks defended well and held on to their lead until the final whistle.
The match was part of the 2023 Girls Soccer District Tournament 7A District 12, which featured eight teams from Boca Raton, Delray Beach, and Boynton Beach. The Sharks, who finished second in the regular season, faced the Lions, who finished third, in the semifinal. The winner would face the top-seeded Boca Raton High School, who had beaten the Sharks twice in the regular season.
A tense first half with a decisive goal
The match started with both teams playing cautiously, trying to avoid mistakes and create chances. The Sharks had more possession and looked more dangerous, but the Lions were well organized and disciplined. The first clear opportunity came in the 15th minute, when Sharks midfielder Julia Weissman sent a long ball over the Lions defense for Hersowitz to chase. The speedy forward outran her marker and reached the ball before the goalkeeper, who came out of her line to try to clear it. Hersowitz managed to touch the ball past the keeper and then crossed it to the far post, where Saia was waiting. The captain and top scorer of the Sharks calmly slotted the ball into the empty net, giving her team a 1-0 lead.
The goal gave the Sharks confidence and they continued to press for a second goal, but the Lions did not give up and tried to respond. The Lions had a couple of chances from set pieces, but the Sharks goalkeeper, Sophia Kornblum, made some good saves to keep her team ahead. The Sharks also had some chances to extend their lead, but the Lions goalkeeper, Isabella D’Agostino, was equally alert and denied them. The first half ended with the Sharks leading 1-0.
A nail-biting second half with no goals
The second half was more intense and dramatic, as the Lions increased their pressure and the Sharks defended with determination. The Lions had more possession and created more chances, but the Sharks were solid and compact at the back. The Lions had their best chance in the 65th minute, when forward Mia Giraldo received a through ball from midfielder Sofia De La Torre and found herself one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Giraldo tried to chip the ball over Kornblum, but the keeper reacted well and tipped the ball over the bar. The Sharks also had some counterattacks, but they could not find the final pass or the finishing touch. The match ended with the Sharks celebrating their 1-0 victory and the Lions lamenting their missed opportunities.
A proud moment for the Sharks and their star player
The Sharks were ecstatic with their win, which secured them a spot in the district final and a chance to compete for the state championship. The Sharks coach, Kevin Turner, praised his team for their performance and their spirit. He said that they played with passion and discipline, and that they deserved to win. He also singled out Saia, who scored her 18th goal of the season, as the best player on the pitch. He said that she was a leader and a role model for the team, and that he was proud of her.
Saia, who is a senior and has committed to play soccer at the University of Florida next year, said that she was happy and honored to score the winning goal for her team. She said that she had a great connection with Hersowitz, who assisted her, and that they had practiced that play many times. She said that she loved playing for the Sharks and that she hoped to end her high school career with a district title and a state title. She said that she was confident and motivated for the final against Boca Raton, who had beaten them 2-0 and 7-1 in the regular season. She said that they had learned from their mistakes and that they were ready to face them again.
The district final between Spanish River and Boca Raton will be on Wednesday, Feb 1, 2023, at 7:30 pm, at the Boca Raton High School stadium. The winner will advance to the regional quarterfinals of the 2023 Girls Soccer State Championship Tournament Class 7A.
