- November 28, 2024
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All signs point to Seabreeze and Matanzas matching up for a third time in the District 6-3A title game.
BY ANDREW O'BRIEN | SPORTS EDITOR
As time ticked down Monday night against Matanzas, Seabreeze’s Annie Gelnaw connected on a volley that flew inches past the Matanzas post. It went wide, though.
And so, in a matchup of two District 6-3A heavyweights, Seabreeze and Matanzas battled to a 0-0 draw in what was likely a preview of next month’s district championship game.
Seabreeze (11-1-5) continues its impressive run of games. In fact, as of Monday, Matanzas is the only team to beat Seabreeze. (That was a 3-2 game back in November.)
With the draw, Seabreeze clinched the No. 2 seed in next month’s district tournament. Barring any upsets, Seabreeze and Matanzas will be heavily favored to reach the district championship game.
This time around, Seabreeze coach Frank O’Donnell changed up the game plan.
“We played somewhat differently from the first match,” O’Donnell said. “We had a rash of injuries from the weekend tournament, and some of the girls were sick.”
Seabreeze went 1-0-2 (win-loss-draw) at the Julie Weber Memorial Classic, in Lake Mary.
“I was happy with the tie result, and the girls and myself learned more about (Matanzas), which hopefully will keep us in good stead for the next game,” O’Donnell said.
The more opportunities Seabreeze has to prepare for Matanzas forward Miracle Porter, the better. Porter has netted 47 goals in 19 games for Matanzas, but the Lady Sandcrabs defense shut Porter down — for the most part — on Monday night.
“(We need to) stop (Porter) and (Karen Rodriguez) and do not allow them to play out of the back easily,” O’Donnell said. “And we need to be ruthless when we get a goal-scoring opportunity.”
Through 17 games, Seabreeze has scored 70 goals and allowed just nine. Last week, O’Donnell said his team needs to continue to improve its finishing. The Lady Sandcrabs only had a few scoring opportunities Monday night, but O’Donnell said he designed the game plan to try and benefit from the counterattack. His side couldn’t net a game-winning goal, though.
Despite playing well at the weekend tournament, O’Donnell admitted that he is concerned with the injuries.
Kayla Merkel, a forward and captain for Seabreeze, provides dynamic pace up top. She didn’t play Monday night against Matanzas.
Another forward, Elizabeth Murray, didn’t play, either.
Defenders Heather Levoy and Kaley Dale both had a virus.
“With the entire unit intact, I feel we can play with anyone,” O’Donnell said. “We will be prepared for Matanzas the next game.”
Seabreeze will play Spruce Creek on Jan. 7 and then Flagler Palm Coast on Jan. 10 before heading into the district tournament.
