Article from the Miami Herald©

Heritage over the U-School

District 14-3A Championship -- American Heritage 5, University School 0: The district champion Patriots (20-2-2) started slow but dominated the second half, scoring four times, three in the final seven minutes at Chaminade-Madonna.

''[Three] days ago we had a hard practice, running and training,'' said Melony Poviones, who had two goals and an assist. ``We didn't come out strong, and at halftime coach [Phil Zayas] told us to have heart and take them seriously.''

American Heritage responded outshooting the young Suns 19-1 in the second half. University's defense -- anchored by freshman sweeper Jess Peck -- kept it in the match until the later stages.

Leading 2-0 with seven minutes to play, Poviones scored her second goal off an assist from Jessica Brown. With seven minutes remaining in the first half, Poviones scored the first goal left-footed, from 19 yards, set up by Alanna Torre and Brown.

Haleigh Stremanos, an eighth-grader, gave the Patriots a 2-0 lead in the 53rd minute, placing a shot just under the crossbar off a pass from Torre.

With less the four minutes to go, freshman Melissa Camacho added a goal and an assist, and sophomore Andrea Rohscieb came off the bench to score.

Patriots' senior keeper Chrissy Hy had a quiet afternoon with seven touches and three saves for the shutout.

Her counterpart, seventh-grader Gillian Newman, was busy throughout with 17 touches and nine saves. Each team advances to regional quarterfinals on Thursday.


-- JIM VARSALLONE