Posted on Sat, Feb. 02, 2008

For three consecutive years, the Miami Springs girls' soccer team has fallen one game short of advancing to the Class 6A state tournament.

After back-to-back losses against Lourdes in the regional finals, the Golden Hawks got their redemption Friday night at Milander Park with a 3-0 shutout of the Bobcats.

Abby Carr, a sophomore star who has been wreaking havoc across the county since returning from an injury a month ago, told coach William Drew that she intended to score three goals in the game. She scored the first two.

''I hope he is happy with two,'' Carr said. ``It was real tough, and I'm glad that we get to send these seniors out on top.''

Carr broke open the scoreless match in the 22nd minute on a penalty kick from 15 yards out. She aimed for the upper-left corner and the kick sailed right to the empty spot.

Her second score was the goal that will haunt the Bobcat players until next season rolls around. When the Lourdes goalkeeper was charged with a handball penalty right outside of the box, Carr immediately took control and kicked it through the net. With the goalkeeper's back turned and the Lourdes players off guard, the ball went straight in for the 2-0 lead.

''That was a great heads-up play by Abby,'' Drew said. ``That had to take the wind right out of their sails.''

Holly Bain sealed the win, scoring the Hawks' third goal in the final minute of the game.

Getting past Lourdes has never been easy for Springs. With a 2-1 lead with 10 seconds remaining in the game, the Hawks gave up the tying goal and lost in penalty kicks last season. In 2006, Miami Springs lost in the regional final 3-1.

While tears were prevalent on both sides of the field Friday, Springs finally had its chance to be the team with tears of joy.

''It has been three years and now I feel great,'' Drew said.

Lourdes senior Jennifer Lancet had two close calls in the game's final 10 minutes, but both kicks were denied by Springs goalkeeper Denisse Montero. Montero, who returned from a head injury at the end of the regular season, recorded her sixth shutout.

This is the first time in 20 years that a Miami Springs team makes it to state. The last time was in 1988 when the Hawks soccer team reached that goal.

• Region 4-3A final -- Gulliver Prep 2, Pine Crest 1 (3-2 in PK's): With two penalty kicks, Gulliver Prep's Andrea Camere helped the Raiders end six years of frustration.

After scoring the only Gulliver goal in regulation to tie it at 1-1, Camere nailed the final goal in penalty kicks to send the Raiders to the finals for the first time since 2001.

''This has been my dream since eighth grade,'' Camere said. ``My heart is in my throat right now. I'm just so excited.''

Every year, from 2002 to 2007, the Raiders had their state title hopes dashed at the hands of American Heritage. The Patriots lost in Tuesday's Regional Semifinals to Pine Crest, but Camere said her teammates didn't care who they had to beat.

``People say that the win doesn't mean as much since we didn't get to beat Heritage, but we did what we had to do and beat who we had to beat. We're going to states.''

With 3:40 left in the half, Pine Crest broke the scoreless tie when a corner kick by Katie Halperin bounced off the heads of two Gulliver players before ending up in front of Hayley Hasemi, who kicked in the easy shot.

With 25 minutes left in regulation, Gulliver was finally able to score when Pine Crest committed a penalty in their own box, resulting in a successful penalty kick by Camere.

After a scoreless overtime, the game went into penalty kicks, which saw both teams tied through four rounds. After a missed Pine Crest attempt, Camere lined up for the game clincher and nailed the shot into the right bottom corner to end the game.

-- FRANK E. DeMARZO

• Regional 4-2A -- Delray American Heritage 4, Dade Christian 1: Ruthie Levie scored the only goal for the Crusaders (23-2-3) on a penalty kick in the first half.

WRESTLING

• Columbus wins: Columbus wrestling coach Jim Husk sat alone near the edge of the mat Friday as his team was entering the finals of the District 15-3A tournament. Husk said cautiously that he knew Braddock would win some matches, but so would his Explorers, giving them the possibility for their first district title since 1992.

''The ones at '89, 215 and 125,'' Husk said. ``Those are the ones I think are the most critical. If we win them, we're in good shape. If we lose them, then we'll have to do something else.''

The Explorers came away with two-out-of-three wins in those weight classes, but more importantly, Husk walked away with the district title trophy.

''I expected our kids to do well today, but they took it up to another level,'' the former National Coach of the Year said. ``We had 10 of 14 kids make it to the finals and all 14 placed among the top four in their weight class. It was a very impressive performance.''

Columbus finished with 212 points and outscored runner-up Braddock by 23.5 points. Of the Explorers' 10 wrestlers who advanced to the finals -- Mark Gulesian (103), Mike Abadin (189), and Jorge Rabaza (215) -- won titles.

For the Bulldogs, who had previously won six consecutive District 15-3A championships, Eric Chandler (112), Gabe Chandler (119), Mario Montoto (125), Danny Villalobos (145), and Jhonathan Medina (152) each garnered individual titles.

-- MELISSA ARTEAGA

• Team Results: Columbus 212, Braddock 188.5, Sunset 127.5, Southwest 100, Coral Gables 78, South Miami 61.5, Ferguson 23.

• Individual Championship Results -- 103: Mark Gulesian (COL) fall Jorge Somariba (CG) 5:56; 112: Eric Chandler (BRA) fall Daniel Araque (SUN) 1:10; 119: Gabriel Chandler (BRA) fall Louis Nodar (COL) 3:40; 125: Mario Montoto (BRA) dec Jake Rio (COL) 15-8; 130: Oxsunn Ramirez (SW) dec George Gulesian (COL) 8-4; 135: Uxsunn Ramirez (SW) fall Randy Pineyro (BRA) 3:13; 140: Carlos Montero (CG) dec Wifred Perez (SUN) 8-5; 145: Danny Villalobos (BRA) dec Allen Pena (COL) 11-5; 152: Jhonathan Medina (BRA) fall Joey Cruz (COL) 1:13; 160: Eddie Torres (SW) dec Daniel Moreno-Koenig (COL) 10-3; 171: David Castro (SM) dec Andrew Davis (COL) 8-6 OT; 189: Mike Abadin (COL) dec Carlos Breso (SM) 6-3; 215: Jorge Rabaza (COL) fall Emilious Davis (SM) 1:30; HWT: Michael Chinchilla (SUN) fall Joseph Vasquez (SW) 1:40.

• District 15-1A: Pace 265.5, American Heritage 201, McCarthy 198, Mater 110.5, Chaminade 75, Archbishop Curley 62, Dade Christian 11, South Florida HEAT 10 -- 103: Douyon (Cham) p. Benni (AMC) 4:39; Weisberg (AH) p. Nelson (Pace) 1:33; 112: Fitzpatrick (AMC) p. Quintane (Pace) 3:20; Winston (AH) p. Martinez (DC) 1:53; 119: Borchetta (AMC) p. Guertler (AH) 3:04; Rivera (Pace) md. Lamazares (Mater) 18-7; 125: Harris (Pace) p. Gandia (AH) 1:11; Arcelay (AC) p. Jiovenetta (SFH) 1:27; 130: Espinosa (Mater) p. Fernandez (Pace) 1:04; Kisielewski (AC) d. Davis (AH) 8-2; 135: Tarter (Cham) d. Frazier (Pace) 5-3; Franco (AMC) md. Dakota (AH) 17-4; 140: Rodriguez (Mater) d. Nunez (Pace) 9-3; Duncan (AMC) p. D. Greaves (AH) 1:37; 145: Hashim (Cham) d. Dickens (Pace) 9-3; Larson (AMC) md. Law (AH) 14-1; 152: Weche (Pace) d. Ogando (Mater) 10-3; Jennings (AMC) p. Jaime (AC) 1:54; 160: K. Greaves (AH) p. Harris (Pace) 1:22; Castillo (AMC) d. Brown 16-12; 171: Martinez (Pace) md. Julian (AH) 18-7; Joseph (AC) d. Fagan (AMC) 11-8; 189: Scott (Pace) d. Hickey (AMC) 11-4; Gaither (AH) p. Acosta (Mater) 3:36; 215: Sennet (Pace) d. Kelly (AMC) 5-2; Millian (Mater) p. Conley (AH) 2:43; HWT: Merkel (AH) p. Bruno (Pace) 3:20; Piedra (AMC) p. McCullom (AC) :17.

BOYS' BASKETBALL

• Westwood Christian 78, La Progresiva 45: LP: J. Castillo 7, M. Castillo 16, Ballard 10, Baptiste 3, Abreu 2. WC (18-6): Pierre 23, Carabano 8, Garrido 12, Gonzalez 2, Betancourt 4, Cruz 4, Bao 5, Rafie 9, Tillery 3, Garcia 7. Halftime: WC 35-15. Three-pointers: Carabano 2, Garrido, Bao, Rafie, Castillo. Rebounds: Betancourt 9. Assists: Carabano 8. Steals: Cruz 3.

• Westminster Academy 79, Westminster Christian 42: Anthony Sheffield led the Lions with 19 points.

WC: Kaplan 12, Torres 2, Corco 2, Polanco 2, McConachie 22, Fernandez 2. WA (18-7): Graham 2, G. Sheffield 2, Gray 12, Perez 2, Sears 18, Hancock 16, A. Sheffield 19, Ojeda 2, Saliba 2, McKenzie 4. Halftime: WA 37-27. Three-pointers: Kaplan 2, McConachie, Gray. Rebounds: Hancock 8. Assists: Gray 6. Steals: Gray 4.

• Thursday -- Carol City 64, Hialeah-Miami Lakes 62: Antonio Valiente and Kendall Despagne hit two free throws each down the stretch. HML: Berroa 22, Roman 3, Marrero 3, Diaz 20, Alcantara 7, Rodriguez 2, Borges 2, Yance 3. CC (19-5): Spikes 16, Valiente 5, Despagne 33, Johnson 4, Hunt 4, Johnekies 2, . Halftime: 27-27. Fouled-out: Farr. Three-pointers: Berrora 5, Yance 1, Alcanrara 1. Rebounds: Valiente 8. Assists: Spikes 4. Steals: Spikes 3.

GIRLS' BASKETBALL

• District 16-3A Semifinal -- Archbishop Carroll 42, Ransom Everglades 26: RE: Supotowski 14, Aiken 4, Cayaso 3, Brendant 1. AC (17-6): Bush 19, Barrios 9, A. Diaz 5, Gil 5, Perez 4. Halftime: AC 18-12. Three-pointers: Bush 3, A. Diaz. Rebounds: Barrios 11. Assists: Barrios 6. Steals: Bush 12.

• District 16-3A semifinal -- Gulliver 55, Carrollton 21: Alyssa Baron had 20 points to lead the Raiders.

Car: Wolfsthal 4, Cuddihy 4, Gomez 4, Garcia 2, Menendez 2, Pihzluga 5. Gul (19-4): Berenson 6, Toledo 3, Baron 20, Amaya 11, Melamud 4, Evron 1, Pasalodos 4, Cusco 6. Halftime: Gul 39-9. Three-pointers: Pihzluga. Rebounds: Pasalodos 6, Melamud 6. Assists: Baron 4. Steals: Berenson 2.

• Distrcit 16-1A semifinal -- Northwest Christian 52, Redland Christian 7: RC: Carr 5, Liggins 2. NWC (12-4): Sapp 4, Taylor 9, Georges 11, Smith 6, McCoy 2, Riodin 2, Valcore 8, Perez 10. Halftime: NWC 24-2. Rebounds: Taylor 5. Assists: Taylor 2. Steals: McCoy 2.

• District 16-5A semifinal -- Dillard 56, Jackson 41: Jac: Johnson 16, Bennett 7, Curry 5, Mickel 7, Antil 2, Mintz 4. Dil (21-5): May 12, Shabazz 8, Riggins 10, Andujar 10, McGraw 9, Parson 3, Corbin 2, Kennon 2 . Halftime: Dil 25-16. Fouled-out: Bennett. Three-pointers: Curry 1, McGraw 1, Shabazz 1. Rebounds: Andujar 12. Assists: McGraw 5. Steals: May 6.

• District 16-2A semifinal -- Palmer Trinity 56, Westwood Christian 38: WC: Perez-Carillo 13, A. Feliz 9, Rivaz 4, J. Feliz 7, Pujal 1, Zavala 1. PT (18-5): Gil 30, Buss 12, Nordqvist 6, Rodriguez 4, Rueede 4. Halftime: PT 29-12. Three-pointers: Gil, Buss, A. Feliz 2, Perez-Carillo 2. Rebounds: Rueede 12. Assists: Gil 4. Steals: Gil 12.

• District 16-2A semifinal -- Westminster Christian 63, Miami Christian 31: MC: Puente 8, Abello 9, Robinson 4, Garcia 6, Sanchez 4. WC (14-12): Carlton 4, Clink-Sherman 4, Bauch 7, Trembly 16, Vera 22, Holt 5, McGlocklin 1, Lopez 2, Mabel 2. Halftime: WC 29-10. Three-pointers: Vera 2, Robinson, Sanchez. Rebounds: Trembly 10. Assists: Vera 6. Steals: Trembly 6.

• District 16-6A semifinal -- Homestead 48, Varela 23: Dominique Collier had 18 points for the Broncos.

Var: M. Rosario 11, Segovia 3, Fuentes 3, S. Rosario 3, Price 3. Home (16-3): McIntyre 4, Harris 1, Bryant 14, Weary 2, Nelson 9, Riggs 1, Collier 18. Halftime: Home 22-9. Three-pointers: Segovia. Rebounds: Bryant 15. Assists: McIntyre 4, Harris 4. Steals: Harris 4.

SOFTBALL

• Braddock 4, Southridge 3: Ingrid Cabrera got the win. Priscilla Gonzalez was 2 for 4 with one RBI.

• Killian 12, Lourdes 8: Jackie Fane was 2 for 4. Jenna Pipaldi was 2 for 3. Chelsea Kraupsch was 3 for 4 for the Cougars. Cynthia Bencomo was the winning pitcher.

• Coral Reef 7, Coral Gables 2: Nicole O'Grady struck out seven in four innings for the win. Dani Petras was 2 for 4 with two RBI. Cassie Zamora was 2 for 4 for the Barracudas.

• Westminster Christian 4, Palmetto 3 (8) Camille Benito had two hits and two RBI. Alexa Valdes had one hit and one RBI. Kat Powell pitched a complete game and struck out five for the Warriors.

• Doral 12, Lourdes 4: Erica Acevedo was 2 for 3 with two doubles and four RBI. Kathy Acevedo pitched five innings and allowed one earned run. Kathy Montilla was 3 for 4 with a double for the Firebirds.

SATURDAY'S SCHEDULE

BOYS' BASKETBALL

Horeb Christian vs. Doral Academy (DRL), 4:30

Belen Jesuit vs. Ransom Everglades (RE), 7:30

GIRLS' BASKETBALL

District 13-6A final at Goleman: Krop vs. Norland, 7 p.m.

District 14-6A final at Miami High: 7 p.m.

District 15-6A final: Lourdes at Coral Gables, 7 p.m.

District 16-6A final at Southridge: Coral Reef vs. Homestead, 7 p.m.

District 16-5A final at Booker T.: 7 p.m.

District 16-4A final at St. Brendan: 7 p.m.

District 15-3A final: Miramar Parkway Academy at La Salle, 7 p.m.

District 16-3A final at Gulliver: 7 p.m.

District 15-2A final: Hillel at Miami Country Day, 8 p.m.

District 16-2A final at Westminster Chr.: 7 p.m.

District 16-1A final at Greater Miami Ac.: 7 p.m.

WRESTLING

District 14-3A at Northwestern: 10 a.m.

District 16-3A at Killian: 10 a.m.