TAMPA -- American Heritage held on to beat defending state champ Clearwater Central Catholic 2-1 in Thursday's Class A state semfinals at Pepin-Rood Stadium.

The Pats advanced to Saturday's state championship game, where they will face Lakeland Christian, a 1-0 winner over Jacksonville Bolles.

The Patriots last made it to the state final in 1998 but fell in a heartbreaking 1-0 overtime loss to Tallahassee MacLay.

Holy Ryder got her first chance in the fifth minute, but shot just wide. The Patriots (25-1) dominated play for most of the first half, outshooting the Marauders 9-3.

In the 34th minute, Melissa Emmett sent in a blistering shot from the top of the box that CCC keeper Nicole Darbois knocked just wide.

In the 28th minute, freshman midfielder Jamie Saunders won the ball at the top of the box, beat a defender, and found the back of the net from about 15 yards out for a 1-0 lead.

Pats defender Renee Cagnina was assigned the difficult task of marking speedy Marauder forward Katie Calvin, and blanketed her all night. Calvin, a Louisiana State signee, scored 30 goals during the regular season but was held to three shots on Thursday.

CCC did not have a serious threat until the 30th minute when Sarah Sheehan followed up on a shot by Calvin off Bianca Spoto's corner kick. The ball appeared to hit a Patriot defender in the hands, but there was no call.

Moments later, Pats keeper Brittni Goodwin made a pair of brilliant saves on consecutive shots by Spoto and Calvin.

Ryder put the Pats up 2-0 in the 48th minute when she finished on a cross from Saunders for her 41st goal of the season.

CCC came within 2-1 when Nicole Matuska slammed home a half-volley from the top of the box with 12 minutes remaining.

Then, American Heritage withstood a flurry of shots in the last 10 minutes as the Marauders tried to equalize.