- December 30, 2024
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Players battle for the ball in the region quarterfinal. Photo by Ray Boone
The Bulldogs' Makayla Catalan fights for the ball in the second half of the region quarterfinal against the Hawks. Photo by Ray Boone
FPC's Mary Pickett tries to keep the ball away from a Spruce Creek defender. Photo by Ray Boone
The Bulldogs celebrate after Hailey Bovino's second-half goal against the Hawks. Photo by Ray Boone
Bulldogs keeper Gabriela Calidonio stops a shot against the Hawks. Photo by Ray Boone
FPC's Francely Rodriguez dribbles the ball up the field late in the game against Spruce Creek. Photo by Ray Boone
FPC's Taylor Murphy chases down a ball in the region quarterfinal against Spruce Creek. Photo by Ray Boone
In nearly 30 years of coaching Flagler Palm Coast's girls soccer team, head coach Pete Hald has competed in high-stakes games many times.
"Sometimes I leave the game feeling good," he said. "Sometimes, not so good."
The Bulldogs' 2019-20 season came to an end the night of Tuesday, Feb. 12, in the Class 7A-Region 1 quarterfinals. The Bulldogs faced rival Spruce Creek, the No. 2 seed in the regional tournament, losing the Hawks 2-1 at Spruce Creek home field.
The Bulldogs struggled mightily in the first half, but only surrendered one goal.
FPC goal keeper Gabriela Calidonio, who was arguably the Bulldogs' best player during the district tournament, continued with her stellar play, keeping the Bulldogs within striking distance.
The Bulldogs had several opportunities to score, mostly on throw-ins, but the Hawks were able to avoid danger — until midway through the second half. FPC forward Hailey Bovino scored off a throw-in from teammate Taylor Murphy to tie the game 1-1 with 18 minutes left in regulation.
The game remained tied when regulation expired, resulting in the two team's going to overtime.
The Hawks' Emily Stout scored the game's final goal with 2 minutes to play in the first period of the overtime.
“We’ve defended well all year," Hald said. “You can only keep them out of the goal for so long.”
The Bulldogs — who took second at the 7A-District 1 tournament after they lost 1-0 to Bartram Trail, the No. 3 team in the nation — finished the season with a 12-7-5 record.
FPC returns the majority of its roster next season. The Bulldogs lose senior Mary Pickett and foreign exchange student Josephine Kristiansen.
“We’ve got to figure out our offensive woes. That’s our focus for next year," Hald said. “We’ve got to find a way to put the ball in the back of the net.”
