Live from Fort Lauderdale -- Tampa Prep state semifinal blog

FORT LAUDERDALE -- Day two here at Lockhart Stadium. Today, we'll bring you live game updates of Tampa Prep's Class 2A state semifinal game against Orangewood Christian. The Terrapins are looking to capture their first-ever state title in girls soccer.

Hopefully, Tampa Prep will have more luck than CCC did yesterday. The Marauders lost 1-0 to Lake Highland Prep on a goal in the closing seconds of regulation. That leaves just two teams -- Tampa Prep and East Lake -- remaining among Bay area soccer squads.

Game action will be slightly delayed as the other Class 2A semifinal -- American Heritage vs. St. Johns Country Day -- is currently deadlocked at zero in the second overtime. Looks like penalty kicks will determine a winner. There's usually a 25 minute break between the end of the first game and start of the second, so a 2:30 start time sounds about right.

Once American Heritage-St. John's is finished, I'll post a more accurate starting time for the Tampa Prep game. Stay tuned and follow the comments section below for regular updates. Please feel free to post your own comments and questions. I'll try to address all questions as time permits.

-- BRYAN BURNS

(Pictured: Tampa Prep's Chelsea Klotz celebrates her second of three goals against Orangewood Christian in the Class 2A Girls Soccer Championships State Semifinal game at Lockhart Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale. Times photo - Willie J. Allen, Jr. Click to enlarge.)

Comments

[Bryan Burns]

American Heritage scored early in the second overtime, Yasmyn Andrade finding the back of the net, assisted by Stacey Payne, sending the Stallions onto Saturday's state final. Both Tampa Prep and Orangewood are warming up, and the stadium clock reads 29 minutes and counting. 2:30 appears to be our new start time.

[Bryan Burns]

Starting lineups are being announced. Tampa Prep is wearing all red with black numerals. Orangewood is sporting an all-white look with red numerals. We're about three minutes away from kickoff.

[Bryan Burns]

And we're off.

[Bryan Burns]

First goal.
Tampa Prep scores in the game's third minute. Paige Goodwin sent a through ball that Chelsea Klotz ran onto, and, one-on-one with the keeper, Klotz had no problem's finishing.

Just like that, it's 1-0 Tampa Prep

Orangewood's Megan Byrd almost equalized for the Rams in the game's eighth minute. Byrd blasted a shot from about 35 yards away that hit the crossbar and bounced away. Moments later, Orangewood's Kristina Cox drilled a half-volley from the middle of the box but right at Tampa Prep keeper Jordan Hatton, who made the save. If Cox had hit the ball a couple feet to the left or right, the game would be tied at one right now

[Bryan Burns]

Correction on the assist for Tampa Prep's goal: No. 11 Connor Zwetsch is credited with the through ball that sprung Klotz, not Paige Goodwin.

Both teams are moving the ball pretty easily through the midfield and attacking the goal. Tampa Prep's Connor Zwetsch just sent in a cross that Paige Goodwin headed into goal, however, it was waved off for offside. It was a good call, Goodwin was just a step or two off when Zwetsch kicked it.

[Bryan Burns]

There's the whistle for the first water break. Pretty entertaining game so far with action going back-and-forth. The 1-0 scoreline doesn't look like it will hold up under the heavy offensive pressure both teams are applying.

[Bryan Burns]

Klotz just had another wide open look in front of goal for the Terrapins, but her shot from about 15 yards away sailed a couple feet over the crossbar.

[Bryan Burns]

Some nifty footwork from Orangewood's Kelsey Affolter almost set up a goal for the Rams. She dribbled past three Tampa Prep defenders just outside the box and crossed to Jordyn Sheffield, who was wide open on the far post. The pass was just a bit long, however.

[Bryan Burns]

Kelsey Affolter is abusing Tampa Prep defenders with her bevy of moves. She turned Megan Wall three times getting around her. Unfortunately for the Rams, no one is making a run to get onto the end of her crosses.

[Bryan Burns]

Orangewood's Alexa Raborn just made the score 1-1 in the game's 29th minute. The Rams were awarded a free kick just outside the box. Megan Byrd tapped the ball to Raborn, who sent a shot high to the far post, past an outstretched Jordan Hatton. The play was set up by a high kick foul on a Tampa Prep defender.

[Bryan Burns]

It's now 2-1 Orangewood Christian. The Rams just scored in the game's 36th minute. Jordyn Sheffield, with her back to the goal from 12 yards out, kicked the ball high over her head, and the ball rainbowed over Hatton and into the goal. Kelsey Affolter had the assist

[Bryan Burns]

The Terrapins Paige Goodwin has been working her tail off trying to create space for herself and get open. She had a chance to equalize just before halftime but sent her shot from the left side of the box a couple feet over goal.

[Bryan Burns]

It's halftime. Tampa Prep trails 2-1, and has been getting beat to the ball over the last 20 minutes. They'll have to recapture the momentum they had in the game's opening moments if they want to pull this win out.

[Bryan Burns]

Second half underway

[Bryan Burns]

Goal Tampa Prep
Just like it did to start the first half, Tampa Prep has scored in the first three minutes of the half. Again, it was Chelsea Klotz for the Terrapins who shot it. Orangewood had trouble clearing the ball, and Klotz pounced on the mistake, sending it in for the unassisted goal in the game's 43rd minute.

Tampa Prep 2, Orangewood Christian 2

[Bryan Burns]

Tampa Prep is putting heavy pressure on the Orangewood goal. The Terrpins already have four shots in the half, and we're only eight minutes in. Paige Goodwin had a great crack at goal from 15 yards out but shot just wide

[Bryan Burns]

Goal Tampa Prep
Connor Zwetsch scored on a one-timer off a free kick from four yards out. Play was set up by an Orangewood foul on Chelsea Klotz about 22 yards away from goal. Carrie Field took the free kick, sent it in to Zwetsch who buried it.
Tampa Prep 3, Orangewood Christian 2

[Bryan Burns]

Wow, Tampa Prep really came to play in the second half. The Terrapins just scored again, Amber Miller sending a looping shot from the corner of the box over Orangewood keeper Stephanie Gagnon to make it 4-2 Terrapins in the 54th minute. Play was set up by Paige Goodwin, who had a one-on-one shot with the goalie but was denied. The rebound went right to Miller, who was true with her putback. Goodwin gets the assist, Tampa Prep gets the two-goal lead.
Tampa Prep 4, Orangewood Christian 2

[Bryan Burns]

5-2 Tampa Prep now.
Chelsea Klotz just made it a hattrick with her third goal of the game in the 60th minute, right before the second water break. Assist goes to Taylor Richardson. Richardson and Klotz were on a 2-on-2 break. Richardson sprung Klotz in the box who had no trouble finding the back of the net. Second water break just ended.

[Bryan Burns]

Orangewood Christian looks like a defeated team right now. Players are walking around with their heads down and hands on their hips. The energy they displayed in the first half is but a faded memory.

[Bryan Burns]

Eight minutes left in the game, and the Terrapins have sealed this one up. The only question is whether Tampa Prep will add a goal or two onto the final scoreline

[Bryan Burns]

Play was stopped for a few moments while Orangewood's Kelsey Affolter was carried off the field. There are now three minutes left to go.

[Bryan Burns]

I stand corrected (actually, I'm sitting). Orangewood does have a little fight left in it. Alexa Raborn put one in the Terrapins goal off a free kick from 30 yards out to make the score 5-3. It's too little, too late though for the Rams. There's just 1:30 remaining in the game.

[Bryan Burns]

That's it. Tampa Prep wins 5-3 and advances to Saturday's Class 2A title game, where the Terrapins will face American Heritage in the final at noon.

Bryan are you going to be giving feed on the East Lake game at noon today? If so where will it be located on the st pete times site? tks.