By Eugenio Torrens
Bishop McLaughlin used its speed and constant pressure to beat Carrollwood Day (CDS) 4-2 in the Class 1A-District 7 girls soccer semifinals on Jan. 19, earning the squad a playoff berth for the second straight year.
The Hurricanes (13-5-3) got on the board first in the 23rd minute when Spencer Valdespino fired a bullet that snuck past Patriots (7-3) goalkeeper Maddie Peek.
“I thought it was a really intense game right from the beginning,” Valdespino said. “I’m almost at a loss for words because it’s my senior season. To go to regionals my senior season is awesome.”
CDS tied the contest in the 27th minute when Taylor Tippett scored.
Rickelle Vetzel put Bishop McLaughlin back on top when she tapped in a cross from Katie Hellman that whizzed past Peek’s outstretched hands. The Hurricanes went ahead for good when Corrie Bexley scored off a corner kick to go into the half with a 3-1 lead.
CDS did not go quietly however, narrowing the lead to one in the 8th minute of the second half when Jaden Edwards kicked found the back of the net off deflection by Bishop McLaughlin goalkeeper Emily Hernandez.
The Hurricanes scored their final goal 12 minutes after halftime thanks to Vetzel’s second goal of the night.
“It was a good game, our defense was very strong,” Hernandez said.
The Patriots were chasing the ball all night and were constantly on their toes thanks to Valdespino’s quick feet and even quicker shot. It was her constant charges into CDS territory that made life easier for Vetzel and the rest of the Hurricanes’ frontline.
The win secured Bishop McLaughlin a spot in Friday night’s district title match — a feat that was made doubly hard when the Hurricanes lost their two best defenders, Angie Vascimini and Andrea Broad, to ACL tears this season.
“It was tough with them,” said Bishop McLaughlin coach Tim Gronau. “They’re a big part of our defense, and we’ve been trying to fit puzzle pieces together the whole season. It’s been a challenge.”
The Hurricanes were unable to capture the first district championship in program history, losing to Tampa Prep 7-2 on Jan. 20, but they still advance as the runner-up.
