District 2-4A: Mosley slips by Chiles for title

TALLAHASSEE — One by one, exhausted girls in sweat-soaked white uniforms walked past Chiles’ goalkeeper Caroline Brockmeier and issued praise.

“Great job tonight.”

“Best goalie ever, seriously.”

It took undefeated district champion Mosley 90 minutes to finally slip a shot past Brockmeier during Thursday’s District 2-4A final.

On the ground after a diving save, there was little the sophomore could do to stop Dolphins’ freshman Rachel Bates from burying the rebound for a 1-0 victory just a minute into the second overtime.

“I think we earned their respect tonight,” Chiles coach Chip Chadwell said. “They had to work for their win. They definitely put pressure on us, but we withstood it for 90 minutes. After awhile, you just can’t defend the whole time or rely on clearance. Caroline made great saves including that last one, but it was just a rebound. It happens.”

Mosley (15-4-0) beat Chiles 4-1 and 5-0 during the regular season, but was without leading scorer Emily Vogler, who sustained a serious knee injury Tuesday against Leon and traded in her shin guards for crutches.

“She’s our best player all year long and we definitely missed her tonight, but the team stepped up,” Dolphins coach Marek Betkowski said. “Our goal was to win it for her and we did it. I’m pleased with how the girls played and Chiles gave us just outstanding competition.”

Despite Vogler’s absence, Bates and her teammates came out firing, getting off 22 shots with 11 on frame.

“I thought it was a little bit of an opportunity,” said Brockmeier about the matchup. “But just because their goal scorer is out we can’t think ‘We got this now.’ We still had to play just as hard and I think we did that.”

Brockmeier made 10 saves, but Chiles (8-9-3) was unable to generate any offense. Mosley keeper Emily Grammer registered her 50th career shutout, but was called on for just one save. She spent much of the game at the top of the box trying to initiate offensive attacks by her teammates.

The Timberwolves have gone eight of their last nine games without a goal, including Tuesday’s scoreless penalty kick victory over Lincoln.

“We don’t want to be that team that just defends and defends,” Chadwell said. “We want to score and take some of the burden off the back four and Caroline. ... The final third is just our nemesis. We work on it all the time, but it just doesn’t click. We’re able to get to the box, but just don’t take advantage of the opportunities.”

Despite the loss, Chiles will travel Jan. 24 for regional play against the District 1 winner, either Pace or Niceville, which meet tonight.

Mosley will host the District 1 runner-up.

• Chiles 0 0 0 0 — 0
• Mosley 0 0 0 1 — 1
• Scoring: Mosley, Rachel Bates (unassisted), 89:55. Shots (on goal): Chiles 2 (1), Mosley 22 (11). Saves: Chiles (Caroline Brockmeier) 10; Mosley (Emily Grammer) 1. Corners: Chiles 3, Mosley 3. Fouls: Chiles 5, Mosley 6. Yellow card: none