For the second time in the past three seasons, the P.K. Yonge boys soccer team is the district champion.

Seniors Jack Reichardt and Ethan Bertrand each had a goal and goalkeeper Regan Hollinger allowed just one goal as the Blue Wave edged visiting Williston, 2-1, to win the FHSAA Class 2A-District 3 title on Tuesday.

Last year, Williston, a No. 6 seed, upset P.K. Yonge, a No. 3 seed, 3-1, in the Class 2A-Region 1 Quarterfinals.

“It feels amazing,” said P.K. Yonge coach Jose De Leon. “This is my third title and my fourth final in my seven years here at the program after more than a decade without anything, always getting beaten…to be able to be here seven years later with three championships and four finals, that’s amazing.”

P.K. Yonge (17-3-2) struck first, 11:36 into the match, on a goal in the middle of the field by Reichardt for an early 1-0 lead.

“I think it just gave us relief of some of the pressure, and we weren’t so stressed out, so we didn’t make as many mistakes in the back,” Reichardt said. “I think that first goal was able to set the tone…I’ve been working a lot on taking my chances, my opportunities. I saw the ball roll off a defender or something, took my chance, watched it curl to the left side.”

Five minutes later, Williston evened the match 1-1 on a goal from the left side from about 25 yards out by senior fullback Trace Green.

“We use our fullbacks in the system that we run a lot,” said Williston coach Max Aguirre. “He made his run and he was in the right place at the right time. He smoked that nice shot. This team doesn’t roll up. We get scored against and it just gives us extra motivation. We’ve never been one to roll up and quit.”

The Red Devils (12-3-5) nearly took the lead with 10 minutes remaining in the half on a shot on goal by senior midfielder Cristopher Murillo about 10 yards outside the top of the box.

However, Hollinger made a leaping save at the top of the post.

“I feel as though the adrenaline just hit me,” Hollinger said. “I rose up, caught it, secured the ball, and I looked and I had it in me so.”

Williston sophomore goalkeeper Jamie Merced made several great saves of his own to keep the Red Devils in the game.

“He’s come a long way,” Aguirre said. “He’s still young, and he’s done a hell of a job stepping in. We had a keeper that was D1/D2 level before him, and he has stepped up and filled his shoes well. And you know, the guys trust him, and that’s huge. If your guys trust your keeper, they can free up and play ball.”

Bertrand’s game-winner came on a header just eight minutes into the second half.

“When I scored that, when I jumped, I saw the ball just flying over and I knew I just had to,” Bertrand said. “I mean, there were five at least that I hit that were just too short or too soft, so yeah, that one was just great, honestly. And then all my teammates just coming after me to just celebrate, which was just a good feeling.”

Sophomore Fisher Cooper assisted on both goals.

P.K. Yonge will host a regional quarterfinal next Tuesday, while Williston will await an at-large berth.

“It was hard played on both sides,” Aguirre said. “It was evenly played. We just came out on the short stick, and we didn’t quite finish the way we needed to finish. We couldn’t get that one pass that we needed… numbers-wise, the state should not be able to keep us out…whoever comes out on the short end tonight was going to be in regionals also.”

Girls—P.K. Yonge 5, Newberry 0 Freshman Riley Luca had a hat trick and sophomore Lilly Tomlinson scored two goals as the Lady Blue Wave (10-4-3) won their seventh straight district title on Monday.

“Winning the district championship this season is very sweet,” said P.K. Yonge coach Rebecca Schackow. “The win brings so much joy to me and the entire coaching staff.  We have watched our players stay determined and hardworking through everything this season has thrown at us.  We have had to rewrite our line-ups and strategies with almost every game due to injuries and illnesses, but we never rewrote our vision and mission.”

Schackow said that since day one, they have been committed to learning how to work together and win games, even when faced with adversity. 

“We never stopped pushing each other to be the best team possible,” she said. “Our players and their families give their best effort, and all of our best effort together, on one team, is achieving some great goals. I am so happy for my players. I am so proud of them. I am grateful for the opportunities that high school soccer continues to give and grateful to lead another outstanding group of young women to a district champion title.”

Senior goalkeeper Norah Pancoast had three saves and a clean sheet in the win.

Editor’s note: Fisher Cooper’s two assists were added to the article.

District championship results
Tuesday, Jan. 27

BOYS

Class 1A-District 2

1 Redeemer Christian (Ocala) 1, 3 Oak Hall 0

Class 2A-District 2

2 Branford 5, 4 Hamilton County (Jasper) 0

Class 2A-District 3

1 P.K. Yonge 2, 2 Williston 1

Class 3A-District 4

1 Santa Fe (Alachua) 3, 3 Eastside 0

Class 6A-District 3

2 Bartram Trail (St. Johns) 0, 1 Buchholz 0 (PK 4-3)

Wednesday, Jan. 28

Class 5A-District 5

2 Gainesville at 1 Springstead (Spring Hill), 7 p.m.

GIRLS

Monday, Jan. 26

Class 5A-District 5

2 Gainesville 3, 1 Springstead (Spring Hill) 1

Class 2A-District 3

1 P.K. Yonge 5, 2 Newberry 0

Class 1A-District 2

1 St. Joseph Academy (St. Augustine) 3, 2 Oak Hall 1

Class 2A-District 2

3 Branford 3, 1 Dixie County (Cross City) 1

Class 3A-District 4

2 Keystone Heights 3, 1 Interlachen 2