TAMPA - Ashley Middleton scored twice for Sickles as the Gryphons girls soccer team defeated Wharton 2-1 in their last game before next week's Class 6A-District 7 tournament. Middleton scored in both halves to bring the Gryphons (15-2-1) back from a 1-0 deficit.
Sickles had the better early opportunities, but it was the Wildcats (15-2-1) who took the lead after 19 minutes, with Jessica Wooden scoring on the Wildcats' first shot of the game on a low shot after being put through the Gryphons defense by Aline Linard.
The game seemed to be predetermined to be affected by Middleton, however, her free kick almost tying the game 13 minutes before the break as it went wide off the left-hand post. The Gryphons finally drew level five minutes before halftime, with Middleton catching Wharton goalkeeper Katrina Lopez off her line to lob the ball over her head from 40 yards out.
The second half proved more balanced, with both sides playing well through the midfield. Middleton finally scored with five minutes to play, taking a throw in by Mary Raimo across the top of the penalty area before shooting high into the top left corner of the net for the game-winner.
"Ashley did a good job," Gryphons coach George Arroyo said. "One thing she didn't have last year that she has this year is that she'll pull the trigger. Last year she may have shot one or two times, if that. This year, every time she gets the ball she's taking shots."
Wharton's boys team continued its strong run, with goals by Ryan Asare-Bediako and Adam Keaton right before halftime leading the Wildcats (13-1-2) to a 3-1 win against the Gryphons.
Wharton continued its trend of fast starts by Asare-Bediako with a score two minutes into the game. He collected a Keaton pass at the top of the area before hitting an unstoppable shot into the top right-hand corner of the net.
Stefano Fernandez tied the game for the Gryphons 16 minutes before halftime, but Wharton retook control just before the break. Asare-Bediako scored his second of the game and Keaton added the third less than a minute later just to give the Wildcats a 3-1 halftime lead.
Nicholas Murray