The Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) regional quarterfinals delivered a mix of triumph and heartbreak for girls soccer teams across the Treasure Coast this week. While some local squads dominated their opponents to advance to the regional semifinals, the season came to an end for Vero Beach High School on the road.
Vero Beach Falls in Region 2-7A
In the Region 2-7A quarterfinal matchup, Vero Beach (7-9-1) traveled to face the No. 2 seed, Celebration. The Fighting Indians fell 2-0, with the outcome largely decided by two first-half goals from the hosting Storm.
Despite the loss, Vero Beach maintained a reputation for a stout defense throughout the season. The team did not allow any opponent to score more than two goals in a single match all year. However, offensive struggles late in the season proved difficult to overcome, as the squad was unable to find the back of the net in regulation during their final four matches.
Key Takeaway: While Vero Beach exited the postseason in the quarterfinals, their defensive consistency was notable, holding every opponent to two goals or fewer throughout the entire 2025-26 campaign.
Martin County Dominates in Region 4-6A
Further south on the Treasure Coast, Martin County (18-2-1) put on an offensive clinic at Napoli Orthodontics Stadium, defeating Fort Lauderdale 7-0. The victory moves the Tigers one step closer to their first regional final appearance since 2022.
The win was powered by stellar performances from two juniors who each recorded a hat trick:
- Shelby Gosman: 3 goals, 1 assist
- Luciana Licht: 3 goals, 1 assist
Junior Esther Fernandes added the seventh goal, while sophomore Lyanna Diaz contributed a team-high three assists. Freshman goalkeeper Tess Addeo secured the clean sheet with four saves. Martin County will host No. 3 Cooper City in the semifinals on Wednesday at 6:30 p.m. in Stuart.
South Fork Cruises in Region 4-5A
In Region 4-5A, South Fork (17-3-1) utilized a powerful forward combination to dismantle Dr. Joaquin Garcia by a score of 7-0 at Joebud Staggs Stadium. This marks the second consecutive year the Bulldogs have won their regional quarterfinal match.
The duo of Paige Sossi and Cailen Jones proved unstoppable, combining for a massive offensive output:
- Cailen Jones: 4 goals, 1 assist (9 points)
- Paige Sossi: 3 goals, 3 assists (9 points)
Junior goalkeeper Rachel Kramer recorded seven saves to earn the shutout. South Fork now prepares for a road challenge against top-seeded Lourdes Academy in Miami on Wednesday at 4 p.m.
Jensen Beach Season Ends
Also in Region 4-5A, Jensen Beach (7-9) saw their season conclude with an 8-0 loss to No. 3 Pembroke Pines Charter. The Falcons fell behind early, trailing 6-0 at halftime, and were unable to recover against a high-powered Jaguars offense. This marked the fourth time this season Jensen Beach was held scoreless.
What’s Next?
Regional play continues next week for the remaining Treasure Coast contenders. The Class 5A-7A semifinal matches are scheduled for Wednesday, while The Pine School—the area’s lone remaining Class 1A team—will compete on Monday. Residents are encouraged to check local listings for final game times as our local student-athletes look to keep their state championship hopes alive.
