Ava Witt’s 100th minute goal clinches district championship
By Official Florida FC
When trophies are at stake, there is no such thing as a bad goal.
If it counts, it’s a good goal.
That was the case on Thursday night in Jacksonville when the Episcopal School clinched the District 3-3A girls soccer title. The Eagles used a 100th minute goal from Ava Witt to overcome Jacksonville Wolfson 2-1 after extra time.
Witt’s blast came from 20 yards out with 49 seconds remaining before penalty kicks. Her right-footed shot was the only shot the Eagles put on goal in 20 minutes of extra time.
Episcopal (12-6-1) advances to the Region 1-3A playoffs. Wolfson (9-7-3) will await its fate during Friday’s FHSAA bracket show.
Wolfson (9-7-3) sought its first district championship in at least 29 years. The Wolfpack have made the postseason only three times since the 1995 season.
For seven minutes, the Wolfpack dreamed of hosting a home playoff game.
Zoey Cooler’s shot found the top corner in the 10th minute. Episcopal controlled possession for large periods, but Wolfson repeatedly stepped into passing lanes in the midfield and used Cooler’s pace as well as the drive of midfielders Meghan Morecraft and Avalon Miller to launch counterattacks.
Cooler’s goal was on one of those counters, where she was alone up top, but took a shot and celebrated with glee when it found the top corner.
Wolfson soaked up everything Episcopal threw at them for seven minutes. Episcopal central defender Charlotte Ritter took a hopeful shot from 45 yards away that flummoxed Wolfson’s keeper and tumbled over the line.
Episcopal head coach Jay Bolt told the Eagles they had new life at full time. They made the most of it.
Here are images from the match.
