Above – Steinbrenner prepares to build on their first quarter lead of 3-1 District 15 Playoffs opened at Tampa Jesuit High School  on Tuesday night with Top Seed Berkeley Prep (10-3) facing #4 Seed Steinbrenner (9-4).  Berkeley won the first meeting between the two in early March by a score of 11-8. Steinbrenner’s Junior Midfielder James Cowan (3g) scored the opening goal  unassisted at 3 minutes into the game with a strong drive and finish.  Berkeley Prep’s Junior Midfielder Brower Davis (1g) answered with a goal of his own a few minutes later to tie the score at 1, but that would be the last time Berkeley would be tied with Steinbrenner. Led by Senior goalkeeper Jason Wagenbrenner the physical and athletic Steinbrenner defense made it very difficult for the Berkeley to get any good scoring opportunities.  When Berkeley did get a good opportunity on the crease Wagenbrenner was there to stop it.  The first quarter ened with Steinbrenner leading 3-1, but with Cowan winning the majority of the faceoffs along with Steinbrenners patient offense possessing the ball the majority of the quarter it was difficult for Berkeley to get into any offensive rhythm. The second quarter opened with Steinbrenners Cowan scoring his 3^rd goal of the game and looked like they were starting to open up the lead after adding another goal a few minutes later  by Senior attackman Charlie Bidelman (2g), but Berkeley Junior midfielder Graham Robbins (1g) scored in the last few minutes of the half to cut the lead to 5-2. The second half opened with Steinbrenner’s Cowan continued dominance at the face off x. Steinbrenner scored 3 unanswered goals to end the period up 8-2 and looked to be in firm control of the game. In the final period Berkeley scored in the first few minutes to make it 8-3, but Steinbrenner’s defense held tight and the offense added another goal in the closing seconds to end the game 9-3 for their very first District 15 playoff victory as well as earning their first appearance in the District 15 Finals on Thursday night to face Tampa Jesuit (10-6) who defeated rival Plant in the later game. Scoring Recap: Steinbrenner: Goals: Cowan 3, Bidelman 2, Howard 1, Steffles 1, Graham 1, Kaleo, C 1. Assists: Kaleo, C 1 Berkeley: Goals: Davis, B 1, Robbins 1, Phifer 1 Assists: Mortonson 1