DELAND – Every time they took the field for the last seven years, St. Johns Country Day knew they had a huge target on their backs, yet it never seemed to phase them.
As the reigning six-time state champions and defending national champions, the Spartans knew they would get another challenge from newcomer Miami Country Day in the Class 1A state championship game.
It was over in the first five minutes.
Princeton commit Kamryn Loustau’s header into the left side of goal barely four minutes into the game gave St. Johns a 1-0 lead and all that it would need to secure its seventh straight state title and tenth overall with a 6-0 win over Miami Country Day in the Class 1A state title game.
From there it only got worse.
Miami Country Day came into the game having outscored its playoff opponents 22-3; while St. Johns had outscored its opponents 23-1, almost mirror images of each other.
However, the visiting Spartans had never seen as fast as a team as St. Johns or a midfield defense as aggressive as well.
With four Division I seniors on its roster Payton Crews (TCU), Kirsten Pavlisko (FSU), Abbegale Newton (LSU) and Alisa Detlefsen (Troy), its likely no team has seen a dynasty like St. Johns either.
Crews shot into the left corner gave St. Johns a 2-0 lead over MCD 16 min. into the game.
Miami Country Day (19-4-2) had their chances as Danielle Geathers had two direct kicks sail way high over the cross bar and wide right of the goal denying the Spartans potential goals in the first half.
Despite being up 2-0 at the half, St. Johns (26-0) didn’t let up as Crews got loose again and placed a ball into the left corner seconds into the second half and Detlefsen fired a shot into the right corner off a deflected shot from Newton minutes later for a 4-0 lead.
Newton assisted to Pavlisko who followed with a goal and 5-0 lead in the 54th minute. A minute later, Newton broke free and through the defense for the final goal and 6-0 lead.
An emotional head coach Mike Pickett was lost for words after the game talking about how he dedicated the season to his father who passed away prior to the season, as well as saying goodbye to his five seniors who leave St. Johns with seven state titles and unbelievable dynasty run.
According to Pickett, Detlefsen, Newton and Crews were apart of all seven state titles, while Pavlisko four and Carrico three state titles.
Amazing to think that Detlefsen, Newton and Crews won state titles every year they were at St. Johns and never lost a playoff game as well.
Since a stunning loss in the regional final to Trinity Prep in 2011, according to Miami Herald sportswriter Bill Daley the Spartans have won now won 35 consecutive playoff games and outscored their opponents 186-11 in the process.
The win was the Spartans 70th straight win without a tie and 87th straight win without a loss as well. The win also ties St. Thomas Aquinas for the states longest streak of seven consecutive state titles and also moves the Spartans into a tie with Plantation American Heritage with its tenth overall state title trailing only Aquinas with 15 titles for most overall state titles.
Overall state titles (According to FHSAA guide)
15––St. Thomas Aquinas 1990 (3A), 1993
(3A), 1994 (4A), 1995 (5A), 1996 (5A), 1997 (5A), 1998 (5A),
1999 (5A), 2004 (5A), 2005 (5A), 2011 (5A), 2012 (5A), 2014
(5A), 2015 (5A), 2017 (4A).
10––American Heritage (Plantation), 2000 (A), 2001 (A), 2002
(A), 2005 (3A), 2009 (3A), 2010 (3A), 2013 (3A), 2014 (3A),
2015 (3A), 2016 (3A).
10––St. Johns Country Day (Orange Park), 2005 (2A), 2007
(2A), 2009 (2A), 2012 (1A), 2013 (1A), 2014 (1A), 2015 (1A),
2016 (1A), 2017 (1A), 2018 (1A).
7 ––Bolles (Jacksonville), 1994 (3A), 1995 (4A), 1997 (4A),
2008 (3A), 2015 (2A), 2016 (2A), 2018 (2A).
6––American Heritage (Delray Beach), 2004 (2A), 2006 (2A),
2010 (2A), 2011 (2A), 2012 (2A), 2014 (2A).
5––Bishop Moore (Orlando), 1989 (3A), 1991 (3A), 1996 (4A),
1998 (4A), 2007 (4A).
5––Douglas (Parkland), 2003 (4A), 2004 (6A), 2005 (6A),
2006 (6A), 2007 (6A).
5––Melbourne, 1987, 2009 (6A), 2010 (5A), 2013 (4A),
2014 (4A).
5––Palm Harbor University, 1999 (4A), 2000 (3A), 2006 (5A),
2009 (5A), 2010 (6A).
Consecutive State titles
7––St. Thomas Aquinas 1993 (3A), 1994
(4A), 1995 (5A), 1996 (5A), 1997 (5A), 1998 (5A), 1999 (5A).
7––St. Johns Country Day (Orange Park), 2012 (1A), 2013
(1A), 2014 (1A), 2015 (1A), 2016 (1A), 2017 (1A), 2018 (1A).
5––Douglas (Parkland), 2003 (4A), 2004 (6A), 2005 (6A),
2006 (6A), 2007 (6A).
4––American Heritage (Plantation), 2013 (3A), 2014 (3A),
2015 (3A), 2016 (3A).
3––American Heritage (Delray Beach), 2010 (2A), 2011
(2A), 2012 (2A).
3––American Heritage (Plantation), 2000 (A), 2001 (A),
2002 (A).
