How does one replace a program legend? That question remained on the mind of P.K. Yonge girls soccer coach Rebecca Schackow all offseason.
The ending of the Blue Wave’s iconic era of soccer seemed near with the graduation of Faith Hardy and eight others in 2025. A run that saw four consecutive region finals and the Final Four in 2024.
Schackow wasn’t ready to say goodbye – yet. But again, who would step up?
Paulina Cervantes was the answer.
The senior scored 50 points (19 goals and 12 assists). All three of those categories led the Blue Wave and ranked in the top 20 in Class 2A. It wasn’t always easy for the Blue Wave this season, especially compared to the dominance of years past.
PKY started the season 2-3-1, including a draw to Buchholz. Later in the campaign saw a draw to Newberry. Neither of those had transpired in over five years.
Yet, Cervantes knew when to rally the team, and that’s when postseason approached. The Blue Wave looked like a different team the second time around in a 5-0 win over Newberry for the program’s seventh consecutive district title.
A regional quarterfinal win over Taylor County followed, and even though the season ended in the next round, it was still a massive accomplishment for the Blue Wave in a “down” year.
Now, Cervantes is the Gainesville Sun’s Girls Soccer Player of the Year. She leads a team of 11. It’s a family affair for PK as Ellie is a First Teamer as well. Other honorees come from Newberry, Williston, Gainesville High, Oak Hall, Fort White and Branford.
Congratulations to all the athletes selected!
All-Gainesville-area Girls Soccer First Team
Forward: Delilah Poore, Branford
Forward: Aubrey Schwab, Newberry
Forward: Andersyn Fuller, Fort White
Forward: Vanesa Schwartz, Oak Hall
Midfielder: Paulina Cervantes, P.K. Yonge
Midfielder: Mallory Smith, Newberry
Midfielder: Julia Murphy, Williston
Midfielder/Defender: Kiera Forbes, Gainesville High
Defender: Ellie Cervantes, P.K. Yonge
Defender: Peyton Creamens, Newberry
Goalie: Norah Pancoast, P.K. Yonge
All-Gainesville-area Girls Soccer Second Team
Forward: Laelle Thompson, Columbia
Forward: Kayden Huntley, Keystone Heights
Forward: Ava Largent, Trenton
Forward: Cayden Roth, Oak Hall
Midfielder: Baylee Akers, Newberry
Midfielder: Gabby Musalo, St. Francis Catholic
Midfielder: Piper Aarons, Gainesville High
Midfielder/Defender: Marlee Hunt, Columbia
Defender: Taylor Hass, P.K. Yonge
Defender: Maddie Fudge, Buchholz
Goalie: Peyton Courtney, Gainesville High
Coach of the Year: Cara Soride, Branford
Cara Soride might not have won a playoff game, but she accomplished something much more difficult. She took a team that didn’t exist five years ago to championship glory as Soride and the Buccaneers won a district championship over Dixie County.
Noah Ram covers Florida Gators athletics and Gainesville-area high school sports for The Gainesville Sun, GatorSports.com and the USA TODAY Network. Contact him at nram@usatodayco.com. Follow him on X @Noah_ram1 and on Instagram @Ramreporter.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: P.K. Yonge’s Paulina Cervantes leads the Sun’s All-Area Girls Soccer team
Reporting by Noah Ram, Gainesville Sun / The Gainesville Sun
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
