Oviedo girls soccer powers to first Final 4 since 2018

Ryleigh Holcomb scores twice in 2-0 victory

OVIEDO, FLORIDA — Making it to the Final Four is nothing new for Oviedo High’s girls’ soccer team. But the Lions take a lot of pride in trying to get there every season, even if it’s been five years since they advanced that far.

Senior Ryleigh Holcomb scored two early goals and the Oviedo defense held fast in a 2-0 Class 6A, Region 2 final victory against visiting Seminole Ridge of Palm Beach County on Tuesday night. The Lions will travel to Gulf Breeze for the state semifinals on Friday at 7 pm.

Gulf Breeze (18-2-1) beat Fleming Island 2-1 in double overtime in another regional final.

It will be the first time since 2018 that Oviedo (18-2) has made it this far, having finished as state runner-up that season.

“This group has been fighting all year for this,” said Oviedo coach Scott Waisanen, who has led the Lions to four state championships in his career. “It’s been a long time since we’ve been back there. They’ve earned it. That was a really good Seminole Ridge team that we played. Very organized, physical, tenacious. They never quit.”

The Oviedo High girls soccer team beat Seminole Ridge 2-0 on Tuesday night to win the Class 6A, Region 2 title and advance to the state semifinals for the first time since 2018 / Photo by Jeff Gardenour

Holcomb’s two goals proved huge as the Hawks (18-1-2) played Oviedo evenly for much of the game. The forward bound for Wofford College in South Carolina ripped in a goal just 2 minutes, 45 seconds into the match and added another one 15 minutes in to give the Lions all the scoring they would need.

Oviedo’s defense then took over, recording its 12th shutout of the season. It also was the Lions’ sixth straight victory.

“I was so stoked because I got the first one so quick,” Holcomb said. “I think it helped our momentum going forward.”

Oviedo had other scoring opportunities in the 80-minute battle but Seminole Ridge’s defense was able to make some big saves or clear the ball. The Lions had 11 shots on goal. 

Oviedo girls soccer assistant coach Bill Barker, standing, and head coach Scott Waisanen give instructions to the Lions during halftime / Photo by Jeff Gardenour

Seminole Ridge, meanwhile, fired 10 shots on goal but most were easily saved by Oviedo keeper Mia Meadows, who finished with six stops. The closest Seminole Ridge came to scoring came with 4:53 left when a shot bounced off the right post.

“This was definitely one of the better teams we’ve played, Holcomb said. “So, I’m glad we were able to not let any goals in and keep a two-goal lead.”

Many Seminole Ridge players huddled and cried after the game. The Hawks set a school record for victories and will lose only three seniors.

“Absolutely proud of this team,” said Seminole Ridge coach Felipe Tribin. “I told the girls that if someone had told us that we were going to go 20 games unbeaten and get to the regional finals, I would have said that they’re lying.

“We came out against a very good, experienced team,” Tribin said, “someone who is used to being on this stage. We were down early. What I asked the girls to do the rest of the game after the first water break was to fight hard and that’s what they did. They didn’t give up.”