The Bishop Verot girls’ soccer team came up one win short of making it to the Florida Finals in Tampa, the result of a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Tampa Berkeley Prep at a rain-soaked Viking Stadium Friday night.

The Vikings were on the defensive from the opening kickoff as the guest Buccaneers kept the ball on the scoring side of the center stripe. The Bucs outshot the Vikings 14-2 in the first half, finding the back of the net twice.

“We expected more pressure from them, but it never came,” said Vikings coach Randy Zavada. “I thought our defense played well in the first half. Their first goal was a header off a corner kick, and the last two came on long kicks just under the bar, and both were off the hands of out keeper.”

The Buccaneers (20-4-2), who advance to the Class 3A state semifinals next week, were relentless with their passes to open teammates and out on the wings and defensively turning around nearly every time Verot got off a deep penetrating lead pass.

“We did not bring our A game,” said Zavada. “We were able to get the ball in open spaces, but our touches were bad.”

The Vikings (20-3-2) were held to just two shots on goal in the first half and it was a long time in the second half before they advanced deep enough to take a shot. They finished with four total shots on goal.

Senior Angelique Colon scored the Vikings’ only goal to avoid a shutout. Sophomore Kady Otzko started the play on the right wing, settling a ball between two defenders. Otzko eluded her shadows into open space and fired a shot across the front of the goal to Colon at the far post for the score with 7:45 left.

With three minutes left, the Vikings thought they had a second goal, but the ball was whistled dead inside the box on the right side on a pushing foul.

“I look for bigger things from these girls next year,” said Zavada. “We took two steps forward this year. We went out in the (regional) quarters last year.”

Boys Basketball

Charlotte 70, Ida Baker 68: Ida Baker threw a scare into Charlotte before falling short of an upset victory in the final two minutes.

Baker (13-12) pitched in a school-record 14 three-pointers, including six by senior Justin Pascale who finished with 28 points.

Senior Nick Goshay led the Tarpons with 31 points.

The Bulldogs top off the District 4A-11 Tournament at 5:30 p.m. Monday against Cape Coral. Mariner is the tourney host.

Charlotte13 14 24 19 – 70

Ida Baker18 16 17 17 – 68

Charlotte 70 – Foley 2, Degaeta 18, Shine 14, Goshay 31, Scott 2, Mutt 2, Hardinson 2. Totals: 29 9-11 70.

3PG – Degaeta 1, Shine 2.

Ida Baker 68 – R. Serrano 5, A. Serrano 3, Manego 10, Davis 12, Dobbins 6, Pascale 28, Deems 4. Totals: 26 2-2 68.

3PG – R. Serrano 1, A. Serrano 1, Manego 2, Davis 4, Pascale 6.