Skip to main content

FLN’s Girls 1A Predictions

Well, here we go!

Berths in the Final Four at stake!

Let’ get it on . . .

Region 1

Episcopal School hosts St. Augustine

They played in the regular season and ESJ came away with the 19-7 win. ESJ played the tougher schedule and will be a handful for St. Augustine.

Sophia Chepenik and Keeley Cleveland lead the Eagles to their first Final Four with a comfortable win

Region 2

Lake Highland Prep hosts Edgewood

6th-seed Edgewood is the first Brevard County regional finalist, Girls or Boys, but knocking off LHP is a mountain too high to climb this year. Edgewood’s Strength of Schedule was the weakest of all the finalists, and they are playing a program that has received national ranking in past years.

Lauren Pittman and Izzy Hughes will lead the Highlanders to a comfortable win, with Edgewood gaining valuable experience going into next season

Region 3

Naples hosts St. Stephen’s

On paper, this is one of the best games of the weekend. The SOS’s are not the best, but they are close in that calculation. They are close statistically and the common opponents saw similar results.

I did see some of the Naples game versus Holy Names, and they showed a lot of speed. Unfortunately, I did not see any of St. Stephen’s, but the FHSAA had them ranked a little higher.

Naples did not post their statistics for individuals while SSE showed good balance offensively.

One thing on the schedules is that Naples did not play a single one-goal game, while SSE played five and if we come down to the wire, that experience will be invaluable.

My instincts tell me that SSE’s win over Out-of-Door, the #1 seed, will help them immensely in this game, and I see them edging out a narrow win here, potentially in OT.

Either way, I want to see some of this if broadcast.

Region 4

American Heritage-Delray hosts Pine Crest

I kind of feel bad for Pine Crest in this one, because they might be the best team besides AH-Delray in 1A (LHP would argue but it is really close) yet here they have the Stallions. It’s been a while since AH-D has lost to a Florida team.

They played earlier in the year, and PC held close until about a quarter into the 2nd half, when AH-D pulled away. Carly Fleisher has made a huge impact for AH-D, while Ella Bishara is one of the better kept secrets in Florida lacrosse.

It was 17-9 the last time out, but I see PC shaving a little off that margin, just like they did in last year’s regional final, but the Stallions are going back to the Final Four.