Early goals help St. Thomas Aquinas girls return to 6A state soccer final
St. Thomas Aquinas’ girls are on the cusp once again of ending its longest state championship drought since they began winning a state-record number of titles in 1990.
On the strength of first-half goals by Bianca Raskin and Madison McKeon, the Raiders hung on for a 2-0 victory over Viera on Monday morning in a Class 6A state semifinal at Spec Martin Stadium in DeLand.
The Raiders (22-2-1), ranked sixth nationally by MaxPreps, will next face Niceville at 10 a.m. on Wednesday in the state championship game. Aquinas lost last year in the state final, 4-3, to St. Johns Bartram Trail. The Raiders are seeking their first state title since 2017 and looking to add a state-high 16th state championship.
Junior goalkeeper Aimee Colson made four saves, including two in the second half, to preserve the shutout - her 16th of the season.
Aquinas has not allowed a goal in five consecutive matches.
The Raiders hung on to the lead despite being outshot 6-2 in the second half thanks to solid defense overall.
Raskin’s goal broke a scoreless stalemate in the 24th minute and McKeon followed with another eight minutes later off an assist by Marisa Robinson.
