Merritt Island's bid for back-to-back state championships was dashed by a blast from Shane Nicholson in the second minute of overtime, finally breaking a scoreless tie, as Choctawhatchee won their first-ever state championship 1-0 over the Mustangs. Nicholson's 50th goal of the season helped the Indians exact revenge for last year's 3A title game, which Merritt Island won 5-0.
Choctawhatchee, ranked 15th in the nation by Top Drawer Soccer, completes an unbeaten season, with a 30-0-1 record. They finally capture the elusive state title in their ninth trip to the state Final Four, and fourth in the last five seasons.
Merritt Island goalkeeper Bruce Turner turned in his second straight stellar performance, with five saves in the title game, a day after clinching the Mustangs' berth in the championship by stopping a penalty kick with :08 left in a semifinal win over Immokalee. The Mustangs finish the season 19-3-1.
Click on the video link for a full recap of the 3A Championship between Choctawhatchee and Merritt Island.