Gulliver boys’ soccer earns shot at title repeat; Hillel to chase first since 2016
Gulliver’s boys’ soccer team is used to wearing the bull’s-eye.
In fact, the Raiders embrace it.
So when top teams come for their spot at the top, Gulliver continuously responds to the challenge.
Wednesday afternoon was no different as the Raiders struck quickly and early to hold off a spirited Mater Lakes squad for a 3-1 victory in the Region 4-4A final at Sean Taylor Memorial Field.
The Raiders (23-0-1), who are ranked No. 1 in the nation by MaxPreps, will next chase their second consecutive state title and try to tie Clearwater Central Catholic for the most in state history if they can win their ninth next week. The road to that continues next Thursday at 7 p.m. when Gulliver takes on Santa Rosa Beach South Walton in a Class 4A state semifinal at Lake Myrtle Sports Park in Auburndale.
“We’re fortunate that we’re the team that everyone wants to take their best shot,” Gulliver coach Scott Davidson said. “In the postseason every game kind of feels like this. We like it and we’re happy to play the opponents we do and I think it’s fortunate we can play 22 guys again because it prepares a lot of our players for these types of situations in the future.”
The Raiders survived a scare against Boynton Beach Somerset Canyons last week in the regional semifinals, prevailing in penalty kicks after a scoreless draw. Gulliver didn’t leave anything to chance against Mater Lakes (141-1) as junior Taro Ochi and senior Joaquin BekerFlah each scored goals in the first half to ensure Gulliver led wire-to-wire.
The Bears, who were making their first appearance in a regional final under second-year coach Davide Favaro, drew a penalty just before halftime that was converted by senior Henry Mantilla to cut Gulliver’s lead to 2-1. Prior to coaching at Mater Lakes, Favaro led St. Brendan to a state title during the 2021-2022 season.
But the Raiders held off any other scoring chances throughout a closely played second half and put the game away when junior Jorge Gouvea fired a close-range shot into the net with just under 10 minutes remaining.
Seniors Daniel Ortiz and Rodrigo Navarro and junior Nicolas Pineiros each had one assist. Senior Cosme Salas, a Duke signee, returned to Gulliver’s lineup after missing the prior two games with an injury and helped the Raiders keep Mater Lakes from scoring with solid play at both ends.
Region 4-3A final Downtown Doral 6, Divine Savior 3: When you are just a third-year program and qualifying for the regional playoffs for the first time, what normally happens is you might gracefully bow out in the first round and build on gaining valuable postseason experience for future seasons.
Somebody forgot to tell that to the Downtown Doral Academy boys’ soccer team.
The Dolphins won their first district championship a few weeks ago and haven’t slowed down since.
Entering as the No. 5 seed, they edged Westminster Christian in the regional quarterfinals, shocked top-seeded University School in the semifinals and, on Wednesday night in front of their vociferous and frenzied fans, decisively beat Doral Divine Savior at Tropical Park Stadium.
Just like that, Downtown Doral, a school that just opened its doors four years ago and hasn’t even had a graduating class yet, is headed to the state final four.
The Dolphins (17-4-1) will head to Lake Myrtle Sports Complex in Auburndale as the No. 3 seed and take on No. 2 Tallahassee Maclay in a 3A state semifinal on Wednesday at 4 p.m.
“These kids are special and play with no fear out on the field,” Downtown Doral coach Jonathan
Rosas said. “With each win, they keep making more history and they went out there tonight and made some more. Just a bunch of passionate kids who take pride in their teamwork. Soccer is their life and they bring that out onto the field every time. I can’t be more proud of them and now we’re looking forward to going to state and keep this thing going.”
Region 4-2A final Scheck Hillel 1, Pompano Beach Highlands Christian 0: The Lions (12-3-1) secured their second trip to the state final four in the past three seasons when Adam
Waich scored the lone goal in a victory at home on Wednesday night. Eli Fischbach had the assist on the goal and David Bentolila recorded the shutout.
It’s Hillel’s fifth regional championship overall as it chases its first state title since 2013 and second overall. The Lions take on Maitland Orangewood Christian on Tuesday at 4 p.m. at Lake Myrtle Sports Park in Auburndale. junior joined Omier in doublefigures, tallying 13 and 11 points, respectively.
“I thought it was a very well-played game in the first half and we did some of the things we planned on doing very well,” said head coach Jim Larrañaga. “We ended the game with 17 assists, which is something that has been lacking. We played a pretty darn good 10, 12, 13 minutes. … With about five minutes to go, the tide completely changed. They scored and we didn’t.”
UM remains on the road to take on Boston College on Saturday at 4 p.m. ACC Network.
ETC.
Tennis: OpenAmerican
Marcos Giron got off to a blazing start Wednesday and held on for a 6-0, 6-7 (5), 6-1 victory over French fourth seed Adrian Mannarino in second-round action of the Delray Beach Open. Giron advanced to the quarterfinals, where he will face Patrick Kypson of the United States, a 6-4, 6-4 winner over France’s
Constant Lestienne. No. 1 seed Taylor Fritz of the U.S. cruised past Portugal’s
Nuno Borges 7-6 (5), 6-4, and Australian Rinky Hijikata pulled off a 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 upset of No. 6 seed Matteo Arnaldi of