FORT MYERS - Evangelical Christian had not lost to a fellow Class 2A team all season.
But the Sentinels had never faced a 2A team like Berkeley Prep.
The Buccaneers lived up to their No. 1 state ranking by shutting out the Sentinels 4-0. Berkeley improved to 26-1-1 and advances to its first state final four since 1997.
"This is awesome," said Berkeley senior captain Demetri Amaoutakis. "From the preseason we talked about making it to the final four and winning the state championship."
"This is a dream come true for us," Berkeley coach Dave Zimmerman said. Trying to stop the Bucs' attack was a nightmare for ECS (10-14).
Berkeley forwards Tyler Davis and Scott Strickland buzzed ECS' goal all night. Davis scored two goals and an assist and Strickland added a goal and an assist.
"We didn't have anyone who could run with them all game," ECS coach Jon Wilson said.
Davis scored first when Strickland sent a ball into the box and Davis popped a shot over Sentinels goalkeeper Kyle Petrick in the game's ninth minute. Even when ECS did stop Davis, it wasn't enough. Petrick stopped a Davis shot in the 21st minute, but Amaoutakis scored on the rebound for a 2-0 halftime edge.
Strickland scored on a free kick from just outside the box in the 46th minute and Davis took a pass from Amaoutakis and raced through three ECS defenders before beating Petrick in the 51st minute for the game's final goal.
