ORANGE PARK, Fla. – The St. Johns Country Day girls soccer team is one win away from another state championship appearance.
The Spartans will face Victory Christian Academy in the state semifinals Friday, with a berth in the Class 1A state championship match on the line.
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St. Johns Country Day is two victories away from its 16th state championship in program history and a chance to repeat last season’s success.
“If we can go out and play our brand of soccer, we’ll have a good chance,” coach Mike Pickett said.
The Spartans credit their chemistry and relationships off the field for their continued dominance on it.
“My team is just so hardworking and gritty,” senior midfielder Calli Berang said. “If we lack in one area, we make up for it with our work ethic. You can’t teach work ethic — you either have it or you don’t. I’m just very, very proud to be part of something so special and to share it with these girls.”
Pickett, now in his 28th season leading the program, said this year’s group stands out.
“We have a very tight-knit group of girls,” he said. “In my 28 years here, this group is probably in the top one or two.”
That bond has translated into production on the field. Senior forward Victoria Sarka leads the team with 32 goals this season, an average of 1.5 per match.
“For me personally, knowing my team has my back allows me to play free and lets all of us play free,” Sarka said. “I honestly think that’s the biggest reason for our success — our culture and the standards we hold each other to.”
Each season, the Spartans set three goals: win a district championship, win a regional championship and compete for a state title. The first two have already been accomplished.
“District championship. Regional championship. You’ve got to get the ticket to go to the show,” Pickett said.
A return to the championship match would add to an already historic résumé. St. Johns Country Day is tied with St. Thomas Aquinas for the most girls soccer state titles in Florida history.
But Pickett said his perspective has shifted over time.
“Early in my career, I was consumed with winning the championship itself,” he said. “If we win it, that’s great. If not, the person is more important than the player at this point in my career. I chased the wrong thing for many, many years. I thought I had to win championships — and that’s not what it’s about.”
If the Spartans win Friday, they will face either Canterbury or Berean Christian in the Class 1A state championship Saturday afternoon.