By JOHN C. COTEY, Times Staff Writer
Published February 5, 2006
Two students debated skipping school. Another was looking to bum a ride. Assistant principal Barry Brown and tennis coach Alan Turnquist were debating what movies to watch on the trip down and whether they would need one bus or two.
It took all of five minutes for the 50 or so family members and friends milling around to put away the historic win they just watched and start making travel plans.
Fort Lauderdale, here they come.
St. Petersburg (17-2) needed all of regulation and nearly every second of two overtimes to do what no previous girls soccer team in school history has, beating Melbourne 1-0 Saturday to advance to the Class 6A semifinals.
With three minutes left in the second sudden-death overtime, Andrea Rodrigues and her powerful left leg blasted an indirect free kick from 30 yards out past Melbourne keeper Monique Eason to end the match.
The shot to the upper corner seemed to surprise Eason, who reached her hands up for it, but could do little to prevent it from snapping her wrists back and hitting the back of the net.
Rodrigues' 18th goal ended a defensive struggle in which neither team was able to challenge the opposing keeper despite back-and-forth action.
Melbourne's troubles were due to sweeper Meggie Ford, who was the most dominant player on the field. Every time Melbourne used an effective short passing attack to get in position outside the box, Ford showed up to diffuse the opportunity.
"She was unreal," coach Rui Farias said. "She's been like that since the district tournament. She's been phenomenal the last four-five games."
The Green Devils, who had lost eight straight playoff games dating to 1988 before last year's region final appearance, finally broke through despite losing seven senior starters to graduation.
