Thursday night was a lonely one for Cypress Lake goalkeepers Ashley Hellenbrook and Melissa Allen.

The Panthers’ offense dominated the Region 4A-3 quarterfinal game, defeating Palmetto Ridge 8-0 in a game that was shortened by four minutes and 45 seconds because of the mercy rule. Cypress (22-1-5) will play host to Naples in a regional semifinal Tuesday.

“I had one save, so that was pretty fun,” said Allen, who has tallied 32 saves and eight shutouts this season. “In a game like that you just try to keep moving to keep your body warm. I was constantly talking to my defense and just trying to do what I could.”

Within the first six minutes of play, senior forward Pinky Dupont had punched in two goals, both on assists from Sarah Yates. Dupont finished with three goals for the night, pushing her season total to 29. Yates had her feet on almost every scoring play. The sophomore midfielder finished with two goals and four assists for season totals of 24 and 26 in those respective categories.

Freshman Codi Patinella scored the fourth and sixth goals, and junior Julie Samson tucked in goal number eight. Sophomore Desiree Meyer had two assists.

“We just have good forwards and good midfielders who can feed the ball to our forwards,” said Yates. “They didn't really do anything wrong, we just have a fast offense.”

Muddy, battered and bruised, Palmetto keeper Carmen Sanchez did her best to defend her net, leaping and diving for 12 saves. The Bears finished their season with a record of 6-9-4.

“To everyone returning, that is how good you have got to be next year,” Palmetto Ridge coach Blair Woods said to his team while gesturing to the Cypress bench. “We have to get to that level.”