Central Florida reigned supreme at the girls soccer state finals on Friday. Merritt Island took home the 3A Championship, as a Brevard County team won a state title for the fifth-straight year, while Oviedo won back-to-back state championships for the first time in school history.
Merritt Island was challenged by a young Stanton squad which started six freshmen. The Mustangs threatened throughout the game, but after 100 scoreless minutes, the game went to penalty kicks.
Goalkeeper Jordan Tomberlin came through with two clutch saves and successful kicks from Lexy Denaberg, Madeline Miller, Sydney Clark and Jordan Michaels gave the Mustangs the 4-2 edge in penalty kicks. It's the second state title for the Mustangs, and their first since 2010.
There was more offensive firepower in the 5A Championship between two nationally-ranked teams. Oviedo entered the game ranked sixth and Boca Raton was seventh in the nation, according to Top Drawer Soccer.
It took more than 47 minutes for Oviedo to break through, with a goal on a long-distance shot from Lions' leading scorer Madi Allen (committed to Vanderbilt). They added to their lead in the 70th minute, after Hailey Beavers drew a foul in the penalty box. Sarah Preston converted the penalty kick for a 2-0 lead.
Boca Raton striker Dayana Martin had multiple scoring opportunities and finally put one past Brianna Waggoner in the 72nd minute to cut the lead in half. But a Beavers' goal in the 74th minute clinched the victory for Oviedo, as the Lions won the fourth state title in school history, tying Lyman for the most state titles by a Seminole County school.
In other Friday action, St. Thomas Aquinas won its FHSAA-record 15th state title with a 2-0 win over Creekside. The 15 state championships are tied for the most of any girls soccer program in the nation.