The playoffs continue with tonight’s region semifinals. Here are the previews for area teams playing in Classes 7A-5A.
Class 7A
For MaxPreps bracket click here.
Region 3
No. 5 Lakeland George Jenkins (16-4) at No. 1 Palm Harbor University (17-1), 7
The fifth-ranked team in class 7A and No. 23 nationally, Palm Harbor University brings a lethal combination of offense (85 goals) and defense (4 goals allowed).
Mohamed Tejeddine (20 goals, 31 shots) and Nicholas Malak (14 assists) power the Hurricanes’ attack, while keeper Peyton Medina has been nearly perfect with a 0.25 goals-against average.
George Jenkins counters with a balanced approach led by Emory James (10 assists) and Alexavier Cherilus (8 goals). The Eagles face their toughest test in PHU’s home dominance (7-1), where the Hurricanes have outscored opponents 44-2 this season.
No. 7 Sarasota Riverview (8-8-2) at No. 3 Riverview (13-2-2), 7
The Sharks’ Ian Metcalf (12 goals, 6 assists) and goalkeeper Dominec Cruz spearhead a balanced team that’s outscored opponents 54-24.
Perfect at home (7-0-1), Riverview faces a Rams squad that’s shown resilience with back-to-back wins over common opponent Venice after two earlier losses.
Both teams bring playoff momentum – the Sharks are riding a three-game win streak while the Rams upset Newsome 3-2 in their quarterfinal. These teams handled common opponents differently, with Riverview going 2-0 and Riverview Sarasota posting a 2-2 mark.
Class 6A
For MaxPreps bracket click here.
Region 2
No. 5 Melbourne (15-4-1) at No. 1 Wiregrass Ranch (22-2-1), 7
The Bulls’ lethal attack (91 goals) rides JP Tapias’ 21 goals and Emilio Idiaquez’s 17 assists into this Class 6A showdown. Goalkeeper Vinny Kenney (0.64 GAA) leads a Wiregrass Ranch defense that’s surrendered just 20 goals.
Melbourne counters with Matthew Faucher’s 9 goals.
Both teams bring impressive momentum – Wiregrass Ranch is unbeaten in 14 matches at home, while Melbourne has found their stride on neutral ground (4-0). The Bulls’ high-powered offense meets a Bulldogs squad that’s proven they can win tight matches, setting up a tactical battle for survival in the postseason.
No. 3 Sunlake (10-2-3) at No. 2 Oviedo (13-3-3), 7
The Lions’ balanced attack, led by Ellison Ruffin (19 goals) and Anthony Council’s 13 assists, faces a Sunlake defense that’s been nearly impenetrable, allowing just 14 goals this season.
Goalkeeper Evan Hinz has been crucial to the Seahawks’ stingy defensive record, while Jairo Todd (5 goals) leads their methodical offense.
Oviedo puts its strong home record (6-3-1) to the test against a Sunlake squad that’s proven resilient on the road (3-1-1).
Region 3
No. 3 Immokalee (16-4-1) at No. 2 Mitchell (18-2-2), 7
Two of Florida’s most efficient teams collide in this Class 6A clash.
Mitchell’s David Gillespie (24 goals) leads an attack that’s produced 105 goals, while goalkeeper Caden Pappas has been nearly impenetrable with a 0.31 goals-against average. Immokalee counters with striker Brihan Rodriguez’s 23 goals and a defense that’s conceded just 34 times.
The Mustangs put their perfect home record (8-0-1) on the line against an Indians squad that’s proven road warriors (8-2-1).
Class 5A
For MaxPreps bracket click here.
Region 2
No. 6 River Ridge (12-7-1) at No. 2 Kissimmee Gateway (17-2), 7
A potent Gateway offense averaging 4.3 goals per match faces a test in River Ridge’s disciplined defense.
Panthers striker Adrian Rodriguez (17 goals) leads a Gateway attack that’s outscored opponents 81-20, while River Ridge goalkeeper Brayden Day anchors a backline that’s allowed just 1.45 goals per game.
The Royal Knights ride momentum from a late season run into this clash. Gateway, which has been dominant at home (11-1) will test whether its high-scoring system translates in a win-or-go-home scenario.
No. 5 Springstead (15-3-1) at No. 1 New Smyrna Beach (16-1-6), 7
The Barracudas put their impressive home record (10-0-3) and stout defense (28 goals allowed) on the line against Springstead’s high-powered offense led by Raul Maldonado’s 21 goals.
Douglas Kelly (10 assists) orchestrates the Eagles’ attack that’s produced 76 goals this season.
Both teams handled common opponent Cypress Creek differently – New Smyrna Beach dominated in a 4-1 victory, while Springstead fell 2-1.
Region 3
No. 5 Braden River (11-4-2) at No. 1 Jesuit (17-2-1), 7
The third-ranked team in class 5A and No. 9 nationally, Jesuit aims to replicate its 2-0 district tournament victory over these same Pirates.
Patrick Wiley (18 goals) and Evan Yockey (16 assists) power the Tigers’ dynamic offense (90 goals), while goalkeeper Liam McLaughlin’s 0.47 GAA anchors a defense that’s conceded just 15 times.
Braden River, led by Brandin Gallaway’s 17 goals and 6 assists, seeks revenge after being shut out in their previous meeting. The Pirates face a daunting challenge at Jesuit’s home field, where the Tigers are undefeated (15-0) this season.
No. 3 Cape Coral Mariner (22-4) at No. 2 Osceola (19-2), 7
Two offensive powerhouses collide as Osceola’s Tomas Vilkialis (23 goals) and Mariner’s Thomas Castano-Rayo (21 goals) lead attacks that have each netted more than 85 goals this season.
The Warriors’ goalkeeper Zach Pillion (0.71 GAA) faces a Tritons squad averaging 3.7 goals per match.
Osceola puts their perfect home record (8-0) on the line in this Class 5A battle. Both teams dominated common opponent St. Petersburg, with the Warriors recording two 3-0 shutouts and Mariner winning 3-1 in its quarterfinal match.
