Heritage-Delray routs Bolles to claim state title

DELAND — The American Heritage-Delray Stallions are the kings of Class 2A boys soccer once again.

Nicholas Lodovico and Alexander Guichard each scored a goal in the first half and the Stallions added three more in the second as American Heritage defeated Jacksonville Bolles, 5-0, in the Class 2A state soccer final at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium on Thursday.

“This is the best feeling I’ve had my whole soccer career,” Lodovico said. “We’ve played in big games before … but this the biggest soccer game that we’ve come (and) dominated.”

Douglas Phillips, Nicholas Marchionni and Giovanni Fraser all scored in the second half for the Stallions (20-3-1).

It was the first state championship for American Heritage since 2011, when it beat Jacksonville Providence, 1-0, to claim the 2A crown. From 2004 to 2011, American Heritage played for the state title six times, winning three.

The Stallions had not been back since … until now.

“This a gratifying experience,” Stallions coach Jonathan Frias said. “As a player, we played in the state final and we lost. So, as I told these boys, this is the one percent that gets this experience.

“This is a lifetime memory for them.”

Led by 13 seniors, the Stallions came into this season determined to erase the memory of blowing a 1-0 lead in the closing moments against North Broward in last year’s regional quarterfinals.

Lodovico and Kharym Florvil attributed the change this year to the addition of senior forward/ midfielder Riley Ferch and a new approach by the Stallions coaching staff.

“We were a laid-back team because we knew we had talent,” Lodovico said. “But we got that wake-up call from North Broward. So this year, we came in, heads focused. We had one goal, which was to beat North Broward, but then we realized we were so much better than the competition that’s near us.

“So we kept going. We thought about the next game and …

“We just took off from there,” said Florvil, finishing the thought.

With Lovodico and Guichard scoring in the first half, the Stallions were able to seize control early, using their superior athleticism and quick-striking ability to dominate Bolles. There were times when Heritage players simply moved the ball from sideto-side near midfield while Bolles laid back and did not attack.

The Bulldogs (15-3-3) were more aggressive in the second half, but that just helped open things up for the Stallions, who would put the game away with three more goals.