Sunlake, which made the state semifinals in Class 6A last season, has the credentials to return to the final four.
After all, the Seahawks are ranked third in their class and 11th overall in the state by MaxPreps.
But Sunlake also showed it is a contender by getting past a formidable field of opponents on Saturday to win the Champions League title for the first time.
In the semifinals, the Seahawks faced Pasco County rival Cypress Creek in an anticipated matchup between state semifinalists from a year ago. Adia Symmonds scored twice to lead Sunlake in a 4-2 victory. Allison Souers had both of the Coyotes’ goals.
Palm Harbor University, which went undefeated in the regular season and made the state semifinals a year ago, won the other semifinal 3-1 against Berkeley Prep. Ava Tuttas scored twice and Kassie Fragale added a goal for the Hurricanes.
In the final, PHU was not able to defend its Champions League title. Sunlake got off to a solid start and maintained momentum to extend its current win streak to 15 matches.
Symmonds, who was named the Sue Peet Champions League MVP, scored two of the Seahawks’ three goals in their 3-1 victory. Campbell Taylor had the other goal.
