Choctaw, Niceville host regional semis

Just three days removed from shutout wins in their respective regional quarterfinal matches, Niceville and Choctawhatchee’s girls soccer teams will each host a regional semifinal match tonight. Both matches are set to begin at 7 p.m. tonight.

After a quick, 3-0 dismissal of Tallahassee Chiles in the regional quarterfinal round, Niceville will face a familiar opponent in Pace. The Patriots are a district foe and a team the Eagles have seen twice this year – once in the regular season and again in the District 1-4A title game. Niceville came away victorious in both meetings, winning 3-1 in the regular season before coming away with a 1-0 overtime win in the district championship.

Niceville coach Michael Denton, whose team has yet to allow a goal in four games this postseason, knows better than to be overconfident heading into tonight’s meeting.

“Any time you have to face a team for the third time in a season it gets dicey,” Denton said. “They’re starting to get to know you, you’re starting to get to know them...”

The Eagles’ defense – led by Katie Wills – will have their hands full with Pace’s Mary Kathryn Taylor. Taylor is a Mississippi State commit and one of the area’s top players. She leads a Patriot attack that is more than capable of lighting up a scoreboard.

“There are just so many threats speed-wise,” Denton said, “and they’re a very offensive-minded team and it changes your thought process on teams that can score fast.”

Niceville (17-3-2) may not have a standout offensive threat like Taylor, but the Eagles’ combination of Eli Craft, Miranda O’Neil and Samantha Ditmar has been stepping up when given their opportunities.

Choctaw (16-5-2) was looking forward to a grudge match with Arnold in their Region 1-3A semifinal match. Arnold defeated the Indians in the District 2-3A title game, but fell to Pensacola 3-0 in the opening round of regional play.

“I feel real good about it,” first-year Choctaw coach Jeff Rynearson said. “We are still fairly healthy. Honestly, at this point in the season injuries can become a problem. We are not injury free by any means, we have a few ankles and bumps and bruises. But if we can play soccer and play a possession game, then I like our chances.”

The Indians are fresh off a 1-0 win over West Florida and face a Pensacola team tonight that they are not all that familiar with.

“Typically, they are well coached, very athletic and they know how to play the game,” Rynearson said. “I expect nothing different from this year’s version of Pensacola High, and I think they’re going to be very competitive.”

Rynearson noted that the Tigers are better than their 13-10 record indicates, especially with their play as of late. Offensively, the Indians are led by a solid backline and goal keeper in Sam Shaw. Ashley Quackenbush, Dani Weyer and Megan Thomas lead what has been solid offensive attack this season.

“Our confidence is at a peak right now,” Rynearson said. “We realize we have to go out and play our game to be successful.”

Follow Pat Flynn on Twitter: @PatFnwfdn