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Pace has rough night in Niceville
Friday night was a big night in soccer for Pace High School as they visited Niceville.
In the girls Region 1-4A Semifinal the Lady Eagles once again stopped the Lady Patriots 1-0.
The only difference in this game from the District 1-4A finals a week ago, was the game didn’t go to overtime.
Pace put plenty of shots on goal at Twin Oaks Park, but they could not get one past Niceville goalie McKenzie Ward.
Not even on a penalty kick in the first half by Lana Chechak could get Pace on the board. Ward stretched out and seemed to become a “game-changing moment” according to Niceville’s head coach Michael Denton, and thwart another Pace attempt at a goal.
The only goal of the match came in the 67th minute when Eli Craft scored on a put back while Samantha Ditmar was credited with an assist.
Pace goalkeeper Katelyn Burkhart made a diving save on Ditmar’s shot from point blank range, but the ball squirted free and Craft found the back of the net.
The Lady Patriots battled a great deal of adversity this season, but did not back down as they turned in another strong season.
“This team showed maturity beyond their years to be able to overcome so much adversity this season. We lost five different players to either long-term injuries or season ending injuries, but they still believed in themselves and the team and fought hard to have an unbelievable season,” said Pace head coach Joey Goodwin. “Friday night's game was tough because we outplayed them in almost every aspect of the game. The girls fought hard until the final whistle, but I guess that is just the way it is sometimes.
“I am very proud of this team and the way they played all season. They are an awesome group with whom to work.”
On the boys side of the pitch, Pace played a scoreless first half with Niceville, but in the second half the Eagles took off to win their eighth consecutive District 1-4A soccer title at home, 3-0.
Niceville got on the board when Lucas Van Decar scored in the second half.
Pace soon had an opportunity of its own as they were down 1-0, but Niceville’s Ryan Sheekley made a diving save, one of three he would have on the night.
Pace faced Tallahassee Chiles on Tuesday night at 6 p.m. local time in the Region 1-4A Regional Quarterfinals.
