The Montverde Academy girls soccer team played brilliantly and just punched its ticket into the state championship after a dazzling 5-0 victory over Pensacola Catholic at Lake Myrtle Sports Complex in Auburndale on Thursday afternoon.
From the opening whistle, the Eagles were locked in and controlled the game from start to finish.
Rey Takes Over the Stage
When the lights shine brightest, the biggest players step forward — and that's exactly what Lola Rey did.
Rey opened the scoring in the 22nd minute, finding the back of the net with a half-volley kick to give MVA the early momentum. Seven minutes later, she struck again in the 29th minute with a point blank shot to put MVA ahead 2-0 heading into halftime.
But she wasn't finished.
In the 72nd minute, Rey completed a spectacular hat trick, burying her third goal of the match and effectively sealing the semifinal victory. It was a championship-level performance on a championship stage.
Closing the Door in Style
If there was any doubt remaining, the Eagles erased it in a stunning 34-second stretch late in the match.
In the 77th minute, Penelope Gentry extended the lead to 4-0 cleaning up a loose ball in front of the net. Then just 34 seconds later, Isabella Marin added the fifth and final goal, putting an exclamation point on an overwhelming performance.
Five goals. Clean sheet. Total control.
MVA's defense was just as sharp, shutting down Pensacola Catholic and preserving the shutout to complete the win. The majority of the game was in MVA's offensive third
State Championship Game
With the victory, MVA earns its 20th win of the season and advances to the state championship game once again, continuing a run of excellence that has defined the program in recent years. The Eagles will face Cardinal Gibbons at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday with a title on the line.
MVA will be chasing its third state championship in the last four seasons and the fifth in program history. The Eagles previously captured state titles in 2018, 2019, 2023, and 2024 — and now have a chance to add another trophy to the legacy.
The stage is set. The moment is here. Saturday 10:00 am, Lake Myrtle Sports Complex in Auburndale, Montverde Academy vs. Cardinal Gibbons.
