On a championship Friday night at Dan Newlin Injury Attorney Stadium, the Montverde Academy girls soccer team turned in a complete performance, defeating Lake Highland Prep 4–0 to claim the Florida High School Athletic Association Class 3A Regional Championship.
The victory sends the Eagles to the state semifinal round for the third time in the past four years and serves as redemption after last season's regional championship loss to the Highlanders. This time, there was no doubt. From start to finish, Montverde Academy controlled the match and set the tempo.
The Eagles first strike came in the 20th minute when Lola Rey found the back of the net to give Montverde Academy a 1–0 lead. That advantage held into halftime before the Eagles opened the match up in the second half with three goals. First Caroline Ritchey doubled the lead in the 50th minute, and just three minutes later Rey added her second goal of the night to make it 3–0. The Eagles put the result beyond reach in the 60th minute when Veronica Solano scored the fourth goal of the evening.
Statistically and stylistically, the Eagles were in control. Montverde Academy held a slim 11–10 edge in total shots. But the Eagles limited Lake Highland Prep to low percentage shots with ust three shots on goal while recording nine of their own.
Defensively, the Eagles were locked in until the final whistle. Alyssa Strasbaugh finished with three saves, including a defining sequence late in the match. With just over eight minutes remaining and Montverde Academy already leading 4–0, Strasbaugh denied two point-blank shots in rapid succession directly in front of goal, preserving the shutout. The clean sheet marked the Eagles' 16th shutout of the season, a testament to the team's discipline and commitment on the defensive end.
Montverde Academy improves to 19-1-1 on the season and continues its pursuit of a fifth state championship and its third in the last four years.
The Eagles will next compete in the state semifinal round on Thursday, February 19, at Lake Myrtle Sports Complex in Auburndale, with kickoff scheduled for 10:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. against one of the other three regional champions. A win there sends Montverde Academy to the state championship match on Saturday, February 21 at 10:00 a.m.
