BY GENE NARDI
The Palm Beach Central High School girls varsity soccer team traveled to crosstown rival Wellington High School on Wednesday, Dec. 4 and edged the Wolverines 2-1.
It was the fifth-straight time Wellington fell to the Broncos.
For years, Palm Beach Central could not break the Wolverine curse, but the tide has changed the last two seasons, and the Broncos (9-3) continue to make their mark. The Broncos defeated Wellington in the district finals a year ago, earning district and regional championships for the first time in the school’s history.
Ten minutes into the game, as both teams attempted to establish possession, the Broncos got on the board. Pressure from the Bronco offense created a corner-kick opportunity. Jamie Intile kicked in a low ball past Wellington goalkeeper Lynn Sobczyk near the left post for the score. Intile zeroed in on a mishandled save by Sobczyk off the corner kick. Leading 1-0, Intile struck again off a Bronco corner kick with seconds left in the first half to take the 2-0 lead.
Wellington appeared to have the advantage in possession and had several opportunities to strike on frame but could not finish. Palm Beach Central’s goalkeeper Hayley Brunner came up big just before the Broncos scored their second goal, when a rocket launched by Wellington striker Riley Nicholson was batted over the cross bar.
Wellington came out strong in the second half and pressured the Bronco defense continuously. Freshman forward Samantha Grebinar found an opening and put a ground ball past Brunner for the score, closing the gap to 2-1.
Wellington continued its pressure, determined to get the equalizer, but could not break the Bronco defense. Palm Beach Central’s defense forced Wellington to shoot from outside, making it easier for Brunner to smother any Wolverine shots on goal and assuring the 2-1 win.
Wellington is 8-3-3 on the season and plays Glades Central High School on Friday, Dec. 13 in a 6 p.m. game. Palm Beach Central travels to Lake Worth High School on Friday, Dec. 13 for a 6 p.m. game.
ABOVE: Bronco Aubrey Megrath tries to settle a high ball from Wellington’s Samantha Grebinar.
