Niceville rolls to district final; FWB falls to Pace (SLIDESHOWS)

Getting off to a slow start and playing with a lack of passion is one of the few problems Niceville’s boys soccer team has dealt with this season.

Click to view slideshows: Niceville vs. Navarre » FWB vs. Pace »

It was not an issue in the Eagles’ District 1-4A semifinal match with Navarre on Wednesday at Twin Oaks Park.

Niceville (26-2) jumped out front and never looked back on its way to a 5-0 win over the Raiders.

“We had a quick start,” Niceville coach Wes Nelson said. “We were able to score two goals in the first six minutes. It’s something we talked about and wanted to get done for sure.

“We managed to get it done tonight and were able to get a few more.”

Kyle Pfeiffer led the way for Niceville offensively, assisting on the team’s second goal to Austin Savage and scoring the third to give the Eagles a 3-0 lead before half time. David Williams, Eddie Bird and Colton Savage each recorded a goal for Niceville.

Cody Friesen, who was one of four Eagles to finish with an assist in the match, was happy with his team’s performance and is looking forward to Friday’s district final match with Pace at 7 p.m. at Twin Oaks Park.

 “It’s kind of cool because we don’t have that one player that thinks they’re the star,” Friesen said. “We aren’t afraid to pass up a possible shot to someone else for a great shot.”

Pace defeated Fort Walton Beach 2-1 in their semifinal match.

After Wednesday’s performance, Niceville has raised its expectations again. The bar is at a new high for the meeting with the Patriots.

“We expect to win,” Friesen said, “and we expect to come out hard and get off to a quick start.”