Despite dominating the early play, the girls’ soccer season ended on a sour note for the North Fort Myers Red Knights Tuesday night.

The No. 5-seeded Red Knights outshot No. 4-seed Cypress Lake 11-4 in the first half, but it was the Panthers who converted two shots on goal on the way to a 3-0 victory in the District 4A-11 Tournament opening game at Riverdale.

“We started with out strong, worked hard and played a beautiful game,” said Red Knights coach Donna Agostinelli. “We are going to miss our seniors next year, but we will come back strong and stay strong.”

Almost midway through the first half, the Panthers’ Kelsey Stein sent a free kick from just outside the box on the left side that sailed just under the crossbar and off the fingertips of North goalkeeper Brianna Abatisti for the game’s first goal. It also was the Panthers’ first shot on goal.

With less than a minute to play in the half, Desiree Meyer scored from a steep angle near the right corner after a long run to catch up to a free ball. That was the Panthers’ second shot on goal.

Panthers’ goalkeeper Ashley Helenbrook had eight saves in the first half and 10 overall.

The Panthers added a goal in the second half by Codi Patinella on a rebound inside the box following a throw-in.

The Red Knights (10-10-3), who were 3-9-2 over their final 14 games after a 7-1-1 start, were not without their scoring chances. Alex Smith fired a shot at the goal just under the crossbar, but Helenbrook managed to tip over the bar. Rachel Perkins fired a 25-yard free kick that hit the crossbar and caromed over it.

Both of those chances came in the first half. North didn’t get many in the second half when they were outshot by Cypress 12-7.

Abatisti, who did not have a save in the first half when North’s offense was applying all the pressure, finished with six total.

With the win, Cypress Lake advances to the district semifinal round at 5 p.m. Thursday against undefeated and top-seeded Ida Baker.

Boys Basketball

Bishop Verot 69, LaBelle 41: Bishop Verot broke out to a 29-9 first-quarter lead and was never seriously challenged in a victory over LaBelle Tuesday night.

The Vikings were led by a trio of players in double figures – Nate Howard 17, Abner Sandoval 13 and Bobby Thomas 10.

The win is the second in a row for the Vikings (9-8), who play at Cape Coral High Friday.

LaBelle 9 6 10 16 – 41

Bishop Verot 29 10 10 20 – 69

LaBelle 41 – Pena 6, Ford 12, Miller 2, Gutierrez 2, Phillips 2, Jones 12, Aho 1, Kelly 2. Totals: 17 4-8 41.

3-point goals: Pena 1, Ford 2.

Verot 69 – Wagner 3, Rambow 2, Payne 4, Hoop 6, Dierksheide 5, Thomas 10, Hagan 8, Sandoval 13, Howard 17, Brittenham 1. Totals: 28 7-13 69.

3-point goals: Wagner 1, Hoop 2, Dierksheide 1, Howard 2.