To stay on the path for an elusive state title, to come one step closer to filling in the blanks from glittering resumes of previous seasons, Shorecrest knew it had to vanquish one of its greatest tormentors.

On Tuesday, the Chargers faced perennial powerhouse St. Johns Country Day in the Class 2A state semifinals at Auburndale’s Lake Myrtle Sports Park. 

The Spartans, who were ranked 16th nationally by MaxPreps, had won a state record 11 straight titles from 2012-22, including a pair of championship match victories over Shorecrest (2020 and ‘22). 

This time, the Chargers got payback. 

Relying on a stifling defense and the stelar play of goalkeeper Sonoma Kasica, Shorecrest continually thwarted scoring attempts by St. Johns Country Day. 

The result? A 1-0 semifinal victory for the Chargers. 

In the first half, Shorecrest scored its lone goal of the match off a header by Adelaide Oman that fell through the net after some miscommunication by the Spartans. 

That lead would hold as the Chargers, led by defenders such as Lili Scoy, formed a wall around the net, turning away shot after shot from a St. Johns Country Day offense that scored a combined 36 goals in its last five matches. 

And the shots that made it through the defense landed safely in the arms of Kasica. 

In the second half, Kasica turned in perhaps the biggest play of the match, diving to her left to stop a potentially game-tying penalty kick. 

For Shorecest, ranked third in the class by MaxPreps, the path to the state championship doesn’t get any easier. 

Up next is a matchup against defending state champion Lakeland Christian in Friday’s 2A title match.