After a bruising 3–0 home loss to rival Pasco on Tuesday—a match halted early due to overly physical play—the Zephyrhills Lady Bulldogs wasted no time getting back on track. Less than 24 hours later, they stormed into Lakeland and delivered a commanding 7–3 victory over Kathleen on Wednesday night.
The turnaround was sparked by a career performance from Ariana Cotto, who erupted for five goals, overwhelming the Kathleen defense and setting the tone for the Bulldogs’ offensive resurgence. Cotto’s finishing touch and relentless pressure kept Zephyrhills in control from the opening whistle.
Also finding the net were Kyra Lindsay-Payne and McKayla Oberman, each adding a goal to round out the Bulldogs’ seven-score outburst. The win moved the Bulldogs to 2-11 on the season and snaps an eight-game losing streak.
Tuesday’s loss to Pasco ended under tense circumstances, with officials stopping the match before full time due to escalating physical play between the rivals. Despite the emotional setback, the Lady Bulldogs responded with composure and focus on Wednesday, turning frustration into fuel.
