District Soccer: Vanessa Straub shines for Boca Raton; Spanish River survives Olympic Heights

Emilee Smarr, Palm Beach Post
·4 min read

LAKE WORTH − Higher-seeds Boca Raton and Spanish River survived the forces of Park Vista and Olympic Heights, respectively, in the fight for the District 12 championship, one of the most coveted in Class 7A for girls soccer.

Boys, too.

Here are the keys to the wins that saw Boca − No. 4 in Class 7A and 14th in the state − to 15-3 and Spanish River (13-6) advance to finals for the first time since 2020.

Dive into District Basketball:Breaking down the playoff picture for Palm Beach County girls basketball teams

More District Soccer:Undefeated Seminole Ridge survives Miami commit, West Boca

Maria Luiza Rosolen and Sara Hersowitz send Sharks back to the ship

The Sharks' lone score against Olympic Heights (17-4-1) came early in the first half as Spanish River sophomore Sara Hersowitz darted down right field. Hersowitz swept the ball out from under the cleat of a Lion defender to make the scoring pass to sophomore Silvana Durso.

"We train a lot with jogging up on the outside and sticking together and playing it simple instead of just trying to bump it up every time and I think it worked pretty well," Hersowitz said.

Fresh off her 56th career shutout, the shot narrowly rolled past Olympic Heights' Olivia Calnek. Considering she didn't take the field for OH's 4-0 loss to the Sharks in November, the senior's clutch saves made the difference in creating a nail-biter.

Not to say that Spanish River goalie Maria Luiza Rosolen didn't do the same.

Although the team's beloved "MaLu" stands at just 5-foot-2, the senior's presence proved beyond measure against a swarming Olympic Heights' yellow-card dealing plays and penalty kicks.

"A lot of our team last year were seniors and they all left so we only have to two this year," Hersowitz said. "MaLu did so good. She stuck through it so well, especially some of the hits. I probably wouldn't even be able to take that."

"Honestly, we worked so hard to get here so it's an amazing feeling," Hersowitz said, proud of her underclassmen-heavy crew.

"I can't wait for us to grow more and more together because I think it's going to be a really good ride."

Boca Raton back in hopes of eighth consecutive championship

Bobcats coach Rachael Grimes told Vanessa Straub that her time would come. That consistency would be found on the pitch.

Grimes timed it perfectly. Breaking a quiet streak since contributing two goals in a flurry of eight in a Jan. 03 rout of West Boca Raton, the sophomore made her arrival official with two goals to fend off a physical Park Vista (10-7-1).

"I was having kind of an up and down year struggling with some health issues," Straub said. "I missed a few games and practices throughout the season so I couldn't assist my team during those times."

Boca Raton midfielder Marina Klemetsmo (10) and Jupiter's Brooke Barboni (11) chase after the ball during the game between Jupiter and host Boca Raton on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, in Boca Raton, FL. Final score, Boca Raton, 2, Jupiter, 1.
Boca Raton midfielder Marina Klemetsmo (10) and Jupiter's Brooke Barboni (11) chase after the ball during the game between Jupiter and host Boca Raton on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, in Boca Raton, FL. Final score, Boca Raton, 2, Jupiter, 1.

Boca adjusted to pass the ball around senior defender Johanna Samuels after the Cobras allowed a single shot to the Bobcats the first half. Refreshed and refueled by the water break, Marina Klemetsmo came through on the assist to put the ball in position for Straub's first goal: a bounce off the ground tipped off by gloves and into the net.

"Being able to help my team tonight really meant a lot to me. I'm glad I was able to contribute in such a crucial game," Straub said.

Bobcats goalie Kelly White was left stunned after a shot from Vista slipped through and was finished off by freshman Colbie Pirchio, whose collision with White saw the players to the ground and the Cobras to a game-tying shot.

A penalty kick almost immediately after gave Boca another opportunity to score, but White reached out and rebounded from her previous mishap with a critical save.

Boca Raton goalkeeper Kelly White (2) celebrates saving a penalty kick with teammates during the second half of the game between Jupiter and host Boca Raton on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, in Boca Raton, FL. Final score, Boca Raton, 2, Jupiter, 1.
Boca Raton goalkeeper Kelly White (2) celebrates saving a penalty kick with teammates during the second half of the game between Jupiter and host Boca Raton on Tuesday, January 17, 2023, in Boca Raton, FL. Final score, Boca Raton, 2, Jupiter, 1.

No working scoreboard to keep time at host-site Lake Worth High intensified the atmosphere to say the least.

Fortunately for the Bobcats, Boca would ultimately chase Park Vista's defense almost entirely out of the box, clearing the way for another goal via Straub, who raised her hands in the air to celebrate before bringing them to her face in disbelief as she was crowded by her teammates.

"One thing that helped me keep my head up was wanting to go as far as possible with my team and having a long, successful season," Straub said, adding this is her first year playing for Boca, now touting five goals on the season in 13 appearances.

Boca's status as reigning status one of the top programs in the state, returning from a Final Four appearance in 2022, almost always guarantees the Bobcats an at-large bid in playoffs.

However, the team has punched its last eight tickets and counting by way of district championships − a streak that stays alive thanks to the efforts of Straub and company.

Spanish River and Boca Raton will meet at Lake Worth again on Wednesday, Dec. 1, at 7:30 p.m to compete for the district championship.

Emilee Smarr is the high school sports reporter for the Palm Beach Post. She can be reached via email at esmarr@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Spanish River survives Olympic Heights, Vanessa Straub shines for Boca Raton