Youth soccer: Island Coast seeks State Cup title

FORT MYERS — During the fall, they are opponents who collide on soccer fields while battling for their high school teams.

Come spring, however, the 16 teenage girls who comprise the Island Coast Soccer Alliance’s U-18 team swap their school spirit for club unity.

Island Coast will square off against Team Boca in the U-18 Final Four of the Florida Youth Soccer Association’s State Cup on Saturday in Palm Beach County. The semifinal is slated for 10 a.m. at Pierson Park in Wellington. The winner will play RSL Florida or First Coast Kyx for the championship on Sunday at 10 a.m. in Wellington.

Most of Island Coast’s players are juniors who hail from Lee County, including a trio of standouts from Cypress Lake High.

Sarah Yates — one of those Panthers — scored both of the team’s goals in a 2-0 win against Lake County in the State Cup’s round of 16. Yates added another tally — along with Christine Giles (Baker) — in a 2-1 quarterfinal win against Florida Rush of Orlando.

Island Coast, whose roster is loaded with U-17 age players, could face a size disadvantage against Team Boca.

“We know they’re big and fast. They’ve always been in Final Fours. They’re a good team,” said Yates, a center-mid.

“I know they’ve been one of the top club organizations in Florida for the past 10 years as it relates to girls soccer,” added Island Coast coach Jamie Byers. “They’re very quick and physically strong.”

No doubt Island Coast’s defense will be tested, but they’ve met each challenge so far along the Cup’s path.

“They’ve been fantastic,” said Byers. “It’s like that old saying that ‘goals win games, but defense wins championships.’ They’re quick, athletic and as tough as an old boot.”

The defense is anchored by sweeper Desiree Meyer (Cypress Lake) along with backs Brittany Harris (Mariner) and Megan Barton (Bishop Verot).

Offensively, the team has been led Yates, Giles, Jamie Lockie (Barron Collier) and Sophia DaSilveira (Barron Collier).

Goalkeeping looked as though it would be a question mark when hip surgery ended the season for Lisa Monteith (Fort Myers). But the squad picked up Riverdale junior Makenzie Vance, who has done an admirable job between the posts.

“We found an absolute gem of a kid who has a lot of talent,” said Byers.

Whether it’s in a State Cup game or elsewhere, Island Coast players know important eyes might be in the crowd.

“Every showcase and every tournament are important because you don’t know what colleges are going to be there,” said Yates.

Two Island Coast players have already committed. Cypress Lake senior Jessica Minor will be headed to Darton College in Georgia while Riverdale senior midfielder Amanda Williams is bound for Palm Beach Atlantic.

Yates and Meyer, both juniors, have yet to officially commit. Yates said Pfeiffer University in North Carolina is her likely college destination. Meyer said she will probably attend Florida Tech.

Of course, both players still have one year left to play at Cypress Lake, as well as this weekend’s Final Four.

Island Coast’s players come from nine high schools, most of whom face each other during the season. Any issues that may have arisen during the school season are left behind when it comes to club soccer.

“We come here and everything is serious,” said Yates. “We’re a girls team, so we do fight, but we all get along.”

Island Coast U-18 Girls Team

Head coach: Jamie Byers

Asst. coach: Larry Scott

00 Makenzie Vance K (Riverdale)

1 Caitlyn Rizzo K (Bishop Verot)

2 Ashley LaPierre M (North Fort Myers)

3 Megan Barton D (Bishop Verot)

5 Amanda Williams M (Riverdale)

6 Jamie Lockie F (Barron Collier)

8 Sarah Yates M (Cypress Lake)

9 Christine Giles F (Baker)

10 Kayley Clay M (Bishop Verot)

14 Desiree Meyer D (Cypress Lake)

15 Larissa Yashko F (Seacrest)

16 Sloan Percival D (Seacrest)

18 Lisa Monteith K (Fort Myers)

19 Brittany Harris D (Mariner)

20 Sophia DaSilveira D (Barron Collier)

21 Jessica Minor M (Cypress Lake)

Reach Kevin Johnson at 213-6014 or kjohnson@mybannerhub.com