Seminole girls win 16-4 advance to championship game.
MIAMI – In business-like fashion the Seminole girls water polo team took care of Miami Country Day in the FHSAA State Semi-Finals 16-4 at Belen Jesuit on April 19.
From the opening swim-off the Seminoles controlled the first State Semi-Final building a 7-0 lead after the first period. By half time the Noles were on a roll taking a 15-0 into the beak.
“We came out with the right intensity that they needed,” Seminole coach Ryan Ackerson said. “We made a lot of really good passes and moves that we needed to get the job done.”
That job gets the top ranked Noles (30-0) a spot in FHSAA Girls Water Polo State Finals against fellow Central Florida school number 3 West Orange, who upset second seed Gulliver Prep 11-7 in the other semi-final.
As the second half got under way, Ackerson cleared the bench getting a majority of the Seminole starters rest.
“It was nice to get everyone in and some experience here,” Ackerson said. “It’s a young team so it’s a goal to come back in future years.”
Despite the youthful roster, Ackerson’s team has several players who made the trip to Miami a year ago for the state Final-Four. Which he says added to the comfort level as the team made the trip south this year.
“A lot of that showed with the girls that started the game,” the Seminole coach said. “Many of them were here last year and got to experience all of this so they were comfortable.”
Along with the comfort level, reminding his team of another important aspect of their season was key as the Noles headed into the match-up with Miami Country Day.
“I just told them to keep their focus on what they have been doing all season,” Ackerson said. “They are here for a reason; they don’t need to change anything. Just come out with intensity and feed off the energy of being here.”
Game time is 1:30pm on April 20 at Belen in Miami.
