The Ida Baker girls’ soccer team never set out to go undefeated. Their perfect season was not expected to last as long as it did.

That streak ended Tuesday night at the hands of a more experienced, more physical Barron Collier team in the Region 3-4A semifinals at Bulldogs Stadium. Collier’s 4-1 victory does not truly reflect the play on the field.

The Bulldogs dominated much of the play, but came away with little to show for it. They outshot the Cougars 22-11, including 12-7 in the second half. Baker goalkeeper Natalia Ortiz made two saves and defender Ali Hare saved two others, the last one as the Bulldogs’ attacking goalkeeper.

“We got a couple of bad breaks on some balls,” said Bulldogs coach Dave Trepkowski. “The playing conditions were the same for both teams, so that is no excuse. We had a number of chances, but this was bound to happen.”

Junior Jennifer Martin scored two goals for the Cougars (21-1), senior Jaime Lockie and freshman Sam Gomes each added one.

Senior Christine Giles scored the lone goal for the Bulldogs (27-1) on a free kick from 25 yards out in the final two minutes to spoil the Cougars’ bid for a 19th shutout on the season.

“All I was thinking was this was my last chance to help my team,” said Giles. “That was my last goal.”

Playing conditions contributed to Collier’s first score on a field softened by light rains throughout the morning and a hard shower in the early afternoon. Martin fired a shot from the right wing at the far post. Ortiz, guarding the near post, slipped as she tried to scurry across the goal and could not regain her footing in time to get a hand on the ball.

On the ensuing kickoff, Baker charged directly at the goal where freshman Monique Elliott’s shot from point-blank range was saved by Collier keeper Kaitlin Conway.

Lockie took a pass from Martin and fired a goal from the left side of the goal to make it 2-0 midway through the first half. Two of Collier’s four first-half shots on goal found the mark. That’s where it stayed until midway through the second half.

Just before the end of the first half, Baker’s Ashleigh Weaver was knocked to the ground hard, and had to be taken to a hospital with a head or neck injury.

The Bulldogs took several hard knocks in the second half, but never backed down and will have the bruises to prove it. The Cougars drew two yellow cards for their actions, issued as the Bulldogs continued to apply the offensive pressure.

“It was an awesome effort,” said Trepkowski. “We came to play for all 28 games and I’m proud of the girls for playing all the way to the final second. As far as I am concerned we did not lose this game. It was just a setback.”

The Bulldogs spent the final 10 minutes in full attack mode. Trepkowski pulled Ortiz from the goal and gave the keeper attire to Hare, who from midfield sent several Collier clearing blasts back for the Bulldogs on offense.

Five of the six free kicks the Bulldogs were awarded in the offensive zone in the final minutes were directed at the goal. One shot caromed to Jordan Goffar, whose shot was saved. Another shot was muffed by the keeper, but cleared by another Cougar. Another free kick by sophomore Brittney Herrera hit high on the left post. Giles fired two at the goal with one sailing just over the crossbar and the other one was headed over.

Giles’ scoring shot found the mark with less than two minutes remaining.

The Cougars advance to Friday’s regional finals at Lakewood Ranch, a 2-1 winner over Lutz George Steinbrenner.

Region 3-3A: Senior Kayley Clay scored two goals in the second half to help boost Bishop Verot to a 3-0 victory over Cardinal Mooney in Sarasota and advance to Friday’s Region 3-3A finals.

Sophomore Kady Otzko tacked on one goal for the Vikings (20-2-2) while junior McKenna Duquette and senior Stephanie Lamboy each had assists. Chryssie Gibson and Cailyn Rizzo shared goalkeeping duties with two saves apiece.

“It was a one-sided game,” said Vikings coach Randy Zavada. “We had way more shots and hit the crossbar a couple of times.”

The Vikings host Berkeley Prep, a 4-1 winner over Clearwater Central Catholic, in Friday’s regional final.

Boys Basketball

Mariner 66, Cape Coral 53: Senior Clint Johnson caught fire in the third quarter for 10 of his season- and game-high 16 points to spark Mariner to victory over archrival Cape Coral.

Johnson’s play helped the Tritons stretch a 37-32 halftime lead into a 55-44 lead entering the final period. Harrison Kuchman contributed 11 points while Kameron Beach pulled down six rebounds and handed out four assists.

“We did a good job of getting the ball inside and penetrating to the basket in the second half,” said Tritons coach James Harris.

David Flynn and Justin Mitchell scored 13 points apiece for the Seahawks.

Mariner (17-7) plays at East Lee County Thursday night in an LCAC crossover game.

Cape Coral16 16 12 9 – 53

Mariner16 21 18 11 – 66

Cape Coral 53 – Henry 5, Mitchell 13, Flynn 13, McIntyre 4, Hill 9, Adams 4, Figueroa 4, Caprice 1. Totals: 18 12-19 53.

3PG – Flynn 3, Henry 1, Hill 1.

Mariner 66 – Beach 4, Barsesa 8, Kuchman 11, Marrero 1, J. Rivera 5, Guerrier 9, Walker 1, Emmons 8, Johnson 16, G. Rivera 3. Totals: 25 8-15 66.

3-PG – Barsesa 2, Kuchman 3, G. Rivera 1, J. Rivera 1, Emmons 1.

Bishop Verot 69, Barron Collier 37: Jaquard Hagan pitched in a game-high 23 points and grabbed seven rebounds with double-figure scoring suport from Quinten Payne and Bobby Thomas as Bishop Verot crushed Barron Collier.

Payne, a freshman, and Thomas, a senior, contributed 16 points apiece to help the Vikings (14-9) record their seventh victory in their last eight games.

The Vikings host Ida Baker Wednesday night.

Bishop Verot 21 17 14 17 – 69

Barron Collier 7 6 15 9 – 37

Bishop Verot 69 – Wagner 2, Payne 16, Thomas 16, Hagan 23, Sandoval 8, Howard 4. Totals: 29 2-3 69.

3PG – Payne 2, Thomas 4, Hagan 3.

Barron Collier 37 – Clark 12, Phillips 2, Pagka Lungan 2, Nealon 5, Smith 8, Hayes 4, Foggins 4. Totals: 15 4-9 37.

3PG – Clark 1, Nealon 1, Smith 1.

Lee County Home School 57 Emmanuel Baptist 38: The Ambassadors (3-4 overall, 3-0 conference) were led by four players in double figures Monday. Ross Nielsen had 12 points while James Peterson, Jake Higham and Caleb Coe each added 10. Coe also led LCHS with eight rebounds.

The Eagles (1-3) were led by Kent Crawford with 14 points.