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Girls district soccer: Robinson routs Bradenton Southeast for 3A-9 title

 
Published Jan. 19, 2014

TAMPA — Robinson won its third straight girls soccer district title in dominant fashion Saturday, but coach Billy Helms wasn't celebrating too much.

Minutes after the Knights' 6-0 victory over Bradenton Southeast in the Class 3A, District 9 final, Helms already was focused on the next opponent: 3A-10 runnerup Tarpon Springs. Robinson hosts the region quarterfinal at 7 p.m. Thursday.

Though the Knights (13-5) have enjoyed the satisfaction of making the playoffs four of the past five seasons, the postseason's first round has left them bitter after exits in 2012 and 2013.

"Our team has felt success; they've tasted it," Helms said. "And with the disappointments of the last two years, it's made them realize how important it is for us to move forward."

If Saturday is any indication of what's to come, Robinson will be tough to beat.

Seniors Claire Rothschild and Caroline King struck quickly against the Seminoles (11-4), scoring less than a minute apart in the first 10 minutes. It took another 30 minutes before the Knights scored again.

Robinson didn't allow a shot on net, but the Knights whiffed on three opportunities, missing wide of the net, off the post and over the crossbar before halftime.

In the 48th minute, Sam Ishee curved a long shot behind Southeast goalkeeper Angalique Schweitzer and into the right side of the net for a 3-0 lead.

Kari Trautvetter, Rian Tellis and King put it away.

"We've kind of had a history of having some slow starts," King said. "But usually once we find our rhythm, we settle in and we play our game."