The girls’ soccer season-opening matchup between the Ida Baker Bulldogs and Cypress Lake Panthers Tuesday night pitted two of the area’s top teams from last year against each other.

This battleground was closely contested.

After falling behind 2-1 early in the second half, the Bulldogs fought back with three goals of their own to defeat the host Panthers 4-2. Junior Christine Giles and freshman Autumn Yesh each scored twice for the Bulldogs (1-0).

“I’m glad we played Cypress Lake (in the opener),” Bulldogs coach Dave Trepkowski. “We actually thought they were the best in Lee County last year.”

The Panthers (0-1) reached the Class 4A state semifinals last season, while the Bulldogs had their best season, making it to the Class 5A regional quarterfinals.

Each team lost key seniors from last year and had some players out of the lineup Tuesday, but it didn’t take away from the aggressive style of play.

Baker junior Allie Hare was involved in several of the important battles in the defensive zone. In addition to breaking up potential scoring plays, she took charge of the Bulldogs’ mostly inexperienced back row through communication.

“She’s like the general. She is in charge of everyone back there (on defense),” Trepkowski said. “We lost three seniors and didn’t have a senior on the field tonight. Her leadership was huge.”

The Bulldogs were sporadic offensively for most of the first half. They fell behind 1-0 seven minutes into the match. Baker goalie Libby Shuls mishandled a throw-in from Desiree Meyer and Noelle Eppleman was there to gather the loose ball.

The Bulldogs tied it with 14 minutes remaining in the first half. Yesh gathered a free ball in front of the goal and took one shot that was stopped, but Giles jumped into the attack, creating a scramble. Yesh scored eventually to tie it 1-1.

The Panthers tried to take the lead with 10 minutes left in the half. Codi Patinella moved in on the left flank and took a shot that got past Shuls, but Hare was in position to clear the ball away.

The Bulldogs proved their resiliency in the second half. They fell behind 2-1 with 38 minutes left and the Panthers controlled possession for the first 10 minutes of the second half.

Trepkowski said the Bulldogs then began communicating better and working together as a team in the offensive zone.

“They started talking to one another and stringing passes together,” he said. “The first half we were separated too much.”

With 29 minutes left, sophomore Samantha Dalzotto sent a pass over the Panthers defense and Giles took the pass and buried a shot to the left of the goalkeeper tying it 2-2.

They came back five minutes later and took a 3-2 lead. Freshman Brenna Hambsch dribbled down the center of the field and passed to freshman Payton Van Horn on the left flank and she set up Yesh in the center. Yesh deked a defender in the center of the field, about 10 yards from the goal, freeing her up for a second goal.

Giles capped the scoring with less than two minutes to go. Payton Van Horn assisted the goal.

The Bulldogs’ defense withstood a strong attack from Cypress Lake over the final 10 minutes. Along with Hare, who played all 80 minutes, the defense included Dalzotto, Taylor Van Horn, Sami Fisher and Meghan Turner. Schuls, the junior goalkeeper, finished with seven saves.

The Bulldogs host Fort Myers Thursday night.

Bishop Verot 2, North Fort Myers 1: The host Vikings scored twice in the final 20 minutes of the first half and held off the Red Knights for a season-opening win.

The Red Knights (1-1) got on the board first approximately 15 minutes into the match. The Vikings (1-0) came back five minutes later, when Jamie Cramer scored off an assist from Stephanie Zavada.

With 10 minutes left in the half, Megan Barton started an attack from midfield and set up a goal by Kady Otzko.

Amber Law made four saves for the Vikings.

Volleyball

Regional quarterfinals: Canterbury advanced in Class 2A with a 3-0 victory Tuesday night, but Evangelical Christian’s stay in the playoffs ended in a 3-0 loss to St. Pete Northside Christian.

In Class 4A, Riverdale claimed a 3-1 victory over Golden Gate to advance to the regional semifinals against Naples, a 3-0 winner over Lemon Bay.