It's playoff time: Northeast Florida girls soccer 2022-23 first-round regional previews

First-round regional quarterfinal previews

Standard kickoff times 7 p.m. Tuesday but subject to change

Region 1-7A

Winter Park (13-4-1) at Bartram Trail (16-0-2): Grace Ivey, Olivia Bori and the Bears' scoring machine begin the quest for a third title in four years. They also met last year, with Bears midfielder Carolyn Johnson setting up Jori Follenweider for the only goal. The winner will meet Clermont East Ridge or Apopka.

Creekside (10-5) at Oviedo Hagerty (11-5-1). The champions start their title defense against Hagerty and the scoring pair of Valeria Romero and Brynn Waddell. For Creekside, Chloe Iliff has three goals in the last four games. A Creekside victory would mean a home game against Timber Creek or Lake Mary.

Region 1-6A

Gainesville Buchholz (9-9) at Ponte Vedra (15-3): For the three-time champion Sharks, Davidson-signed senior Olivia Bestic strengthens a defense that's allowed one goal in the last 480 minutes. Ponte Vedra must watch out for the Bobcats' JU signee Kelisha Andre (12 goals, 7 assists). The Sharks routed Buchholz 6-0 on Dec. 13.

Fletcher (11-6-1) at Fleming Island (10-4-2): The third meeting for the Golden Eagles and the state champion Senators in three weeks, after two Fleming Island wins by 3-0 and 1-0 scores. Gianna Gardner scored three of those goals, while Kaitlyn Scherer had three assists. In last year's playoffs it was Fletcher coming out on top, 2-1.

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Region 1-5A

Menendez (7-8) at Tallahassee Lincoln (12-2-2): Salah Miller leads a Falcons team that survived a wild 7-5 game against Orange Park to reach the regionals. They face a tough task against Paige Churchill and the Trojans, seeded first in the region.

Columbia (14-5) at Lecanto (15-4): For the first time ever, Columbia girls soccer is playoff-bound, and Skyler Ziegaus and Mia Brasel are scoring at a steady clip for the Tigers. They'll have to find a way to put the brakes on Lecanto striker Mallory Mushlit, among Florida's leaders with 50 goals.

Clay (10-4) at Ocala Vanguard (16-3-1): The Blue Devils, seeking their first playoff win since 2001, rely on explosive sophomore Kirra Dodson (33 goals) for offense. Vanguard is a multifaceted foe with Marleigh Martinez leading four players in double figures. The winner plays Choctawhatchee or Panama City Beach Arnold.

Region 1-4A

Bishop Kenny (10-6-2) at West Florida (10-5-3): The Crusaders went down hard last year to West Florida in the playoffs, 7-0. Bishop Kenny keeper Sierra Smith could be forced into frequent action against Autumn Cabigting and the Jaguar attack. A win would mean a regional semifinal against Alachua Santa Fe or South Walton.

Beachside (9-4-2) at Stanton (8-7-2): An exciting matchup and a playoff debut for the Barracudas. On a team without seniors, freshman Peyton Thomas has brought skill and scoring ability to the front line. Stanton's offense runs through creative midfielder Emma Griner, with 16 goals and eight assists.

Fernandina Beach (9-5-1) at Tocoi Creek (9-7-1): Sarah Benjamin, Amelia Cutshaw and Southern Wesleyan signee Presleigh Bayot combine for 35 goals for the Pirates, chasing their first playoff win in five years. Oklahoma signee Sophia Vaughan injects constant energy, and frequent goals, into the Toros' midfield.

Region 1-3A

Episcopal (5-9-4) at P.K. Yonge (12-4-1): Strengthened by sophomore Ava Galani in the nets, the young Eagles are tougher than their record might indicate. The defense gets a stern test against Blue Wave sophomore Faith Hardy, scorer of 33 goals. The winner plays Florida High or Pensacola Catholic.

Providence (8-5-3) at Tallahassee Maclay (11-6): Last year, Providence eliminated the Marauders on penalties on the way to a surprise final-four trip. The Stallions had no trouble in November, winning 7-0. Grace Reichelderfer (15 goals) leads the Maclay attack, while Ansley Cryan and Elle Anderson star in the scoring department for Providence.

Keystone Heights (19-5) at Bolles (12-6-3): A playoff rematch from 2021, which Bolles won 8-0. There's no secret about Keystone's game plan: Get the ball to 71-goal striker Kiersten Shaw at every opportunity. Bolles will build through Kentucky signee Annalise Cannada, among the top playmakers on the First Coast.

Region 1-2A

St. Joseph (7-7-2) at St. Johns Country Day (16-1-1), 6 p.m.: The 11-time defending state champions begin their quest with a rematch against St. Joseph after an 8-0 win on Jan. 31. Ana Whitehouse netted 30 goals for St. Joseph this season, while seniors Lauryn Mateo and Avery Raimondo lead the Spartans' midfield.

Christ's Church (6-10-2) at Mayo Lafayette (17-3-2), 6:30 p.m.: A rematch of a chaotic game from last year's regionals, which Christ's Church won 11-3 en route to a regional final. Senior Lyda Plunkett leads the high-scoring Hornets with 38 goals.

University Christian (16-2) vs. Rocky Bayou Christian (8-8), 5 p.m. at Twin Oaks Field: With 36 goals and 33 assists, Abbey Mehm ranks among the Class 2A scoring leaders for a UC team in the midst of its best-ever season. Rocky Bayou's last playoff win came in 2015. The winner plays Seven Rivers Christian or Mount Dora Christian.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: High school girls soccer 2022-2023: Jacksonville first-round previews