- November 5, 2024
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LEESBURG — Much like the other area high school girls soccer team, Matanzas is also in unknown territory.
And that’s a good thing.
The Lady Pirates routed Leesburg, 7-0, on Tuesday night, in the Class 3A regional semifinals. In two state playoff games, the Matanzas girls soccer team has outscored its opponents, 15-0.
Miracle Porter scored five goals (season total up to 68), and Karen Rodriguez and Leanna Ballschmieder each added one.
Matanzas (23-2-2) will host Land O’Lakes in the Class 3A regional finals 7 p.m. Friday. Land O’ Lakes comes into the game 25-1, according to maxpreps.com.
Despite all the scoring, Matanzas coach Tony Benvenuto said he doesn’t want to overlook what his defense has done, specifically naming Gabby Foran, Bailey Pickering, Sam Stack, Payton Tucker and Haley McQueen. Keeper Bella Benvenuto tallied her 19th shutout in 27 games in Tuesday’s win.
“They are my unsung heroes,” Benvenuto said.
Land O’ Lakes will be another unknown opponent with a terrific record, Benvenuto said. (Leesburg was 21-1-1 heading into Tuesday’s game.)
“It will be business as usual for my girls,” Benvenuto said. “We know that our goal is to reach the Final Four — it was our goal at the beginning of the season, and it’s our goal today.”
