DELAND — The connections were crisp. The finishes in the final third were clutch. The defense, outside of one or two giveaways that led to easy corrals for keeper Eden Shaw, was everything advertised of a squad with 16 clean sheets in 21 contests.
Niceville (19-1-1), for the second time in program’s history, is headed to the 6A state championship after Monday’s 4-0 win over Lakewood Ranch at Spec Martin Stadium.
In a sea of upperclassmen featuring eight seniors, it was two sophomores that found the back of the net for the Eagles in the first half. Molly Johnson scored in 26th minute off a deflection from Abbey Kuritz, and four minutes later Kuritz connected with Delaney Diehl for insurance and a 2-0 halftime lead.
A showcase of both Kuritz’s touch and Niceville’s depth, Michelle Melancon scored on a cross from Kuritz for the third goal and Kuritz capped off the scoring on a feed from Johnson after the second-half water break.
There’d be now answer for the Mustangs out of Bradenton, who traveled less than three hours to Spec Martin Stadium compared to the six-hour road trip for Niceville.
The last time the Eagles advanced this far was 2016, when they beat East Lake 4-2 but had their 25-0 run end in a 2-1 title loss to Viera. They’ll face powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas (22-2-1) in the 6A title game at 10 a.m. (EST) Wednesday, Feb. 25, at Spec Martin Stadium.
St. Thomas Aquinas has a Florida record 15 state titles since 1990, but their last came in 2017. They advanced to last year’s state title before losing to Bartram Trail.
This article originally appeared on Northwest Florida Daily News: Niceville girls soccer blanks Lakewood Ranch, advances to 6A title game
Reporting by Seth Stringer, Northwest Florida Daily News / Northwest Florida Daily News
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