Regional Boys Soccer: Canterbury beats Shorecrest to go to Final Four; Fort Myers loses in PKs
A roundup of boys soccer games played on Wednesday, Feb. 16:
Class 2A-Region 3
Canterbury 3, Shorecrest Prep 0
There was a group of four freshmen in 2019 that had been waiting until Wednesday night to get redemption on Shorecrest.
Harrison Ames, McLaren Baggett, Ethan Javedan, and Sam Schoensee looked to be in position to go to a state semifinal that year. The Cougars led 2-1 in the second half, but eventually fell 3-2 in extra time to the eventual state runners-up in Class 1A.
Those four avenged that loss, beating the Chargers 3-0 in the regional finals. With the win, Canterbury extends its home win streak to 28 games and will advance to the Final Four in their quest for back-to-back state titles in Class 2A.
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“That was a very quality team we played,” Canterbury coach Kevin Schoensee said. “Our boys hit on all cylinders, and never backed down, controlling it from beginning to end, and I’m very proud of that.”
Right before halftime, Canterbury crossed a ball into the 18-yard box, but a Shorecrest defender mistimed the ball trying to clear, and it wound up in the back of the net for an own goal, giving even more momentum to the Cougars.
“It was obviously huge,” Schoensee said of the own goal. “We had so many chances on set pieces and good plays, and then to have it bounce in off of them was certainly nice.
From there, Baggett went to work at forward, notching two insurance goals in the second half to extend Canterbury’s playoff run, now the last team standing in Southwest Florida. Baggett is up to 27 goals this season, tying Riverdale’s Dayllon De Paula and Golden Gate’s Jonathan Euceda for the most in the area.
“Their keeper was excellent, but he had to take a lot of chances to try and defend us,” Schoensee said. “McLaren was in great position to take advantage of it a couple of times.”
Former Canterbury coach Mick Whitewood was also in attendance, wanting to see his former team knock off Shorecrest. He and Schoensee remain close, as Whitewood gave a big hug to Schoensee’s son, Sam, after the game.
“It’s always nice to have Coach Mick here,” Sam Schoensee said. “He really brings a lot to our team. His charisma is so high, and we love him. He has love for us, and I think it really drives us to win the game.”
Canterbury had a chance to extend the lead to 4-0, but Shorecrest goalkeeper Nico Crespo-Gonzalez denied Javedan on a penalty kick.
Goalkeeper Chase Johnson and the Canterbury defense extended their shutout streak to eight games, and are on a nine-game win streak. During the streak, Canterbury has outscored its opponents 52-1.
The Cougars will host a state semifinal game against Scheck Hillel at 3 p.m. on Sunday. Because Scheck Hillel is a Jewish school, they observe Shabbat from Friday at sunset to Saturday at sunset.
— Alex Martin
Class 6A-Region 3
Mitchell 3, Fort Myers 3 (5-3 in PKs)
The Green Wave fought and clawed their way back against Mitchell but couldn’t win a third playoff match in PKs this season, losing 5-3 after the game went 100 minutes.
The loss snaps Fort Myers’ 20-game win streak, the longest in the state.
The teams were tied 1-1 at the half before Mitchell went up 2-1 early in the second half.
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The Greenies were given a penalty kick, and Ricardo Louis cashed in on the opportunity to tie the game, sending it to extra time.
Mitchell scored in the first period of extra time after Fort Myers goalkeeper Nick Degen accidentally misplayed a hop, as it bounced high, and went into the goal. Fort Myers came back again as Michael Krzeminski was awarded a PK after being taken down on a rush in the box. He capitalized to tie it in the second half of extra time.
The Mustangs didn’t miss in PKs, advancing to a regional final on the road against Viera. Fort Myers closes its season at 22-2-1, its most wins and the fewest losses in over 15 years.
— The News-Press staff
Class 5A-Region 3
Tampa Jesuit 3, Mariner 0
The Tritons (15-12-2) couldn’t get past one of the top teams in 6A Wednesday night.
Twelve minutes in, Jesuit’s Ty Cabassa opened the scoring, as the Tritons played a competitive first half. Right before the second water break, Christian Fairchild doubled the lead, before an own goal in the 71st minute sealed things for Jesuit (21-3-1).
— The News-Press staff
Class 5A-Region 4
Belen Jesuit 8, Golden Gate 0
The Titans made history Wednesday night, in the wrong way.
Last year’s 5A champions routed Golden Gate 8-0, the Titans' worst playoff loss and worst loss overall in at least 16 years.
The loss ends the improbable run for the Titans, who had a tough road to the postseason after being forced to forfeit 13 games for using an ineligible player. Golden Gate (9-14) had to win districts to make the playoffs as a fourth seed.
They managed to do so and knocked off a pair of South Florida teams in Archbishop McCarthy and American Heritage before losing to the Wolverines.
— Naples Daily News staff
This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Canterbury advances to Final Four; Fort Myers, Mariner, Golden Gate fall
