BOYNTON BEACH — Somerset Canyons girls soccer's state title came to a crushing end on Friday night.
North Broward Prep, who recently defeated the Cougars in the district championship, once again stunned Somerset Canyons in Friday night's regional title match.
Reigning Player of the Year and top goal-scorer Alexia Hansen missed the game because of national training with the U17 Women's Natioanl Team.
"We're more than just Lexi," head coach Oscar Narvaez said. "We're an entire team and tonight, we put in a hell of a performance. I hope North Broward Prep wins the whole thing."
Following a scoreless regulation period, Somerset Canyons was able to work a team goal past Eagles keeper Zooie Brown in the first period, with Natalie Bruno finding the back of the net.
It looked as though that might be enough to stave off North Broward Prep with a trip to states on the line, but with less than two minutes to play in the second period of extra time, the Eagles found their answer.
Cougars keeper Mia Castano never had a chance at the clean look toward goal, so a single state semifinal berth then hung in the balance of a penalty shootout.
Brown answered the call for North Broward Prep, saving the first two kicks to guide the Eagles to the state championship in DeLand.
Heartbreak wore heavy on the eyelids of Somerset Canyons players and coaches, who consoled one another knowing that the loss brought a devastating end to the high-school journies of nine seniors.
"They leave a great legacy behind," Narvaez said. "First team to ever win states, an opportunity to go back-to-back, and they're going to forever be remembered."
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Somerset Canyons girls soccer falls in regional title penalty shootout