Eagles open district tourney with 8-0 win over Pine Forest (SLIDESHOW)
The Niceville girls’ soccer team earned a mercy-rule style, 8-0 win over Pine Forest Monday in the opening round of District 1-4A tournament play.
>>CLICK HERE TO VIEW A SLIDESHOW FROM THE GAME
Jessica Chavis and Miranda O’Neil each recorded a hat trick for the Eagles in the decisive win and Eli Craft added two goals and two assists of her own.
Niceville (14-3-2) jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first half and Chavis, a freshman, notched all three of her goals in a second half that was cut short in the 72nd minute due to the eight-goal mercy rule.
“It feels really good,” Chavis said. “I owe it to my team for giving me the great balls-in and playing a great game tonight.”
Niceville coach Michael Denton was happy for the freshman and believes she epitomizes what his team represents.
“Jessica just works,” Denton said. “She has such a high work rate.
“She’s a reflection of the team this year. They want the team to be successful and they want their teammates to be successful.”
Both Denton and Chavis noted how impressed they were with Pine Forest’s effort throughout the entire game.
“I have to say that Pine Forest never gave up,” Chavis said. “They were going full all the way through.”
Sydney Ditmar, Kellie Wendel and Brooke Sneller each tallied an assist for the Eagles in the win.
Niceville will face Navarre Wednesday in the District 1-4A semifinal at the Navarre Soccer Complex.
