Creekside girls head to panhandle seeking state soccer berth

They have a style of play and a standard of play. A six-hour trip to the Panhandle, nor a lack of knowledge about their opponent, is going to deter Creekside's attempt to dictate tonight's Region 1-4A championship against Navarre.

Being 80 minutes away from a berth in the state soccer tournament is a foreign concept to both the Knights and Raiders (23-2-2). Despite that, the unbeaten Knights (21-0-1) will treat the contest as any other match, and hope the results are like 21 of their previous 22 games.

"We just pressure as much as we can and make sure to get that first goal," sophomore midfielder Jessica Quixley said. "It helps us control the game more. We know if it does get back, our defenders are there to help us. To have that one goal lead, it's easier to know."

Creekside has outscored opponents 108-8 this season, and no team has managed to score more than once.

"It's very difficult. It gets a little boring back there some times," sophomore defender Claire Amici said when asked how the Knights back four avoids mental lapses.?"We just always have to know to keep our focus and play the whole 80 minutes."?

Earlier in the season, the goals were coming early and often. However, in the Knights last three contests, the match-winners have come in the last 20 minutes. Nonetheless, waiting nearly an hour for the decisive goal still hasn't led to many tense touches from Gillian Anderson, Nina Sizemore, Sidney Usina, Rebecca Anderson and Amici in defense.

When Creekside and Ocala Forest were scoreless with 10 minutes remaining, Sizemore never doubted what her team could do. Such faith in their teammates is why Creekside believes it will be able to circumnavigate the Raiders defense.

"We have to play as a unit," Sizemore said. "That's what's been working for us all season. Our chemistry is working really well. If we stay tight-knit as a team and keep working, we?ll put out the win."?

Team chemistry and togetherness are the attributes that have led the Knights to the point of playing for a spot in the state semifinals, and they have no plans on switching now.

"The simple things we have done all year,"?Creekside head coach Brent Johnson said. "Our team defense has been very strong and we know we can count on it. We have to stay mentally focused."?

Thus far, Creekside?s playoff opponents, Forest and Fleming Island, have been familiar foes, felled on their home field. This is new to them. And that is fine.

Amici admitted it will be difficult to drive that far. But, they will have fun on the trip and focus on soccer once they step off the bus in Santa Rosa County.

"When you go elsewhere, there's a lot of the unknown factor,"? Johnson said. "It's exciting because you get to play someone different."?

Region finals

Class 4A

Creekside at Navarre

Creekside (21-0-1) has a bevy of ways to score?four players have at least 10 goals?and the regional playoffs have been an example of that. The Knights have scored four goals in victories over Ocala Forest and Fleming Island and each has been finished by a different player. If juniors Abby Logue (25 goals, nine assists) and Monica Maldonado (18 goals, 22 assists) are able to get a goal, good things may happen for the Knights.

Class 3A

Ponte Vedra vs. Lynn Haven Mosley

The defense of Callie Delaney, Camille Nichols, Piper Dotsikas and Kristen Sandifer, has been rock solid through the district and regional playoffs for Ponte Vedra (18-1-3). The Sharks have outscored opponents 31-1 in the district and regional playoffs. Elon-bound forward Maggie Glynn has saved some of her best soccer for late in the season. Tuesday?s regional semifinal win over Stanton was the fifth straight district or regional playoff game where she provided either a goal or an assist for the Sharks. Ponte Vedra won this match 4-1 in Bay County last year; however, Sharks head coach Dave Silverberg says the Dolphins (16-1-1) are a much improved team from last year.