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Preps

Cougars earn berth in region

BRADENTON -- The secret to winning? Don't let the other team score.

Durant and Bradenton Lakewood Ranch did just that Tuesday, earning region playoff berths in the process. Durant beat Bradenton Bayshore 8-0, and Lakewood Ranch defeated East Bay 2-0, setting up Thursday's final at Lakewood Ranch.

"It took a little while for our girls to stop playing the air balls and get the ball to their feet," Durant coach Dick Sheffield said. "But when they did, they took control of the match with accurate passing and ball control.

"Bayshore just has one effective offensive player, and we marked her pretty tight. They couldn't do that to us because we have so many who can score."

The Cougars scored their first goal in the seventh minute and added six more before halftime. Goal No. 8 was an own goal that halted the game because of the mercy rule just more than four minutes into the second half.

Most of the game was played near the Bruins' net. The Cougars' attack was a combination of the midfield and front line pushing the ball forward and the back line kicking out the few strays that reached its end of the field.

Bayshore had two shots on goal during the first half and none in the second. Durant, on the other hand, had 11.

Mandy Anton scored the Cougars' first goal on an assist from Alicia Tirelli. Five minutes later, Anton returned the favor, assisting on a goal by Tirelli.

Gabi Rivera scored the third goal with an assist from Tirelli, followed by unassisted goals by Colleen Feeney and Tirelli. K.K. Kelly scored the final two goals of the first half in the last two minutes on assists by Feeney.

Lakewood Ranch scored a goal in each half to defeat the Indians.

The Mustangs and Cougars met twice in the regular season and split.

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