The Marco Island Academy Lady Rays soccer team defeated the Knights of Village School on January 14th, 2026, to earn a spot in the PCAC finals. MIA did what they had to do. The Lady Rays played with intensity and focus, setting the tone early and making Village play their game. 

As the game progressed, the Lady Rays gained momentum. MIA settled into their field quickly, and kept the momentum. Junior Captain, Brinley Heflin, explained that they gained momentum “when we scored our goal and never gave up.” 

Leadership also played a role in this victory. As the pressure kept rising, the Lady Rays remained composed. As a captain, Senior, Meghan Donaldson, said that she “kept making sure we were motivating each other and not losing our aggression.” She emphasized trusting each other and she made sure they kept applying the pressure. 

Preparation and mindset both played roles in this game. Knowing a spot in the finals was on the line, the team had to keep their focus throughout the match. This game was all about being selfless. Playing for each other. “We knew that we needed to win. We didn’t play for ourselves, we played for the team. We wanted this win for our seniors.” Heflin Explained. The victory secured a spot in the PCAC finals. With the final moments of the game, the significance of the win became clear. Brinley explained that “This win meant all of our hard work this season is paying off.”

With the victory over Village, the Lady Rays advanced to the finals. The win highlights the team’s ability to perform when it counts. As they focus on the finals, the team is looking for a PCAC Championship win. The Lady Rays will be playing Mason Classical Academy on Friday, January 16.