Niceville girls soccer wins district

Staff Report

Another year, another District 1-5A title for Niceville’s girls soccer team.

The Eagles captured their sixth straight district title with a 2-0 win over Choctawhatchee on Friday in the championship game at Pace.

“It was an awesome team effort and a quality night from a lot of different players,” Niceville coach Michael Denton said. “Both teams came out strong and there is that history of us challenging each other for districts. Their only loss was to us. The intensity was there from minute one and it never let up.”

Niceville (16-2-3) will host District 2 runner-up Tallahassee Leon in the regional quarterfinals on Thursday. Choctaw (14-2-1) will travel to District 2 champion Chiles on Thursday. Chiles defeated Leon 1-0 on Friday.

The Eagles got both their goals from Marleigh Howard in the first half. On the first score, Howard took a through ball from Ali Demonbrun out of the air and into the back of the net. On the second score, Lindsay Foy was tackled in the box, giving Niceville a penalty kick.

“It made a huge difference (getting the early goals),” Denton said. “Our style is much more precision and possession-type play. It was important to get the goals and get in control and dictate what was going on.”

Choctaw coach Michael Lightbourne was disappointed in the result, but happy with how the Indians finished the game and that they will be advancing to regionals.

“We never gave up,” Lightbourne said. “I think we got down on ourselves in the first half, but we played hard in the second half. Now we’re looking forward to regional play. My hat is off to Niceville. They are a solid club.”