Seminole seeks rebound
An impressive boys soccer season at Seminole has come unraveled at the worst possible moment.
Last week the Seminoles lost for the only time this season — and for the first time at home in the regular season in two years — when Winter Park prevailed 2-0 on Jan. 22.
“It’s not the worst thing in the world,” Seminole coach Brian Emrick said.
“That monkey is off our back now and everybody is going into the playoffs with a 0-0 record, us included, so we’ve just got to make sure we do what we’re supposed to do the first two rounds of districts.”
Seminole, ranked No. 5 in the Sentinel Super Six, must regain the competitive edge it had while marching through most of the regular season unbeaten if it hopes to make noise in the playoffs.
Seminole opens Class 5A, District 3 tournament play Monday at home against Winter Springs.
Emrick has been unimpressed with the team’s efforts since wrapping up the Seminole Athletic Conference title with a win over the Bears two weeks ago.
Seminole followed that up by falling flat in a 1-1 draw against Lake Howell.
The loss to Winter Park came two days later, snapping a 32-match unbeaten streak at home, before the ’Noles went on to play uninspired in a 2-0 win over Trinity Prep.
“Since we locked up the conference, we haven’t been going into games with the right mindset. That’s something we’ve had to address, but the big goal is still out there,” Emrick said.
“We’re not playing like a top team right now, but hopefully we’ll get it going heading into the district playoffs.” three games of the season to Dr. Phillips, Ocoee and West Orange while switching up the lineup heading into the playoffs, the Wolverines (9-4-1) remain contenders based on an aggressive style and approach that presses opposing teams in the final third of the field.
“We try to win the games; we’re not afraid to play with anybody,” Windermere coach Alex Ferreira said.
“We believe in ourselves, and we’re always looking for the goal.”
Windermere needs a win Wednesday against Clermont East Ridge to claim a spot in the region tournament.
Ferreira said four freshmen have been contributing alongside a balanced group of sophomores and juniors at a school that opened last fall with no seniors.
“We’ve got a good group of kids who are committed, and they dedicate themselves in practice and in games,” he said.
“I believe that’s the key.”
No other district in the area is as crowded at the top as 5A-5, where only two standout teams will be left standing by the end of the week.
Winter Park, ranked No. 4 in the Super Six and the top seed in the district, is likely to face the winner of No. 2 Oak Ridge and No. 7 Boone in a semifinal Wednesday for the chance to advance to regionals.
Boone is unbeaten in its past eight games after getting off to a slow start to the season.
No. 1 Freedom could face a formidable Timber Creek team in the semis. The Wolves enter districts ranked No. 11.
Another potential district semifinal featuring top teams in the area is likely to play out in 5A-4; No. 3 West Orange and No. 10 Olympia could meet.
Dr. Phillips coach Joel Dobrowolski became the winningest coach in program history on Dec. 20 when the Panthers won 4-0 over Liberty. Dobrowolski has 111 wins at DP (11-6-2) entering Monday’s Class 5A, District 4 game at home vs. Apopka.
DeLand coach Chris Dowdell, a 1991 alum and former player, must find an answer for Port Orange Spruce Creek if the Bulldogs hope to claim their first district title in 35 years. It appears they’re getting close, though, as they lost the regular-season meetings 3-1 and 1-0.
Celebration finished 2-2-3 down the stretch after opening the season 8-0-1, but coach Chad Boudreaux has seen a lot of positives as the Storm enter 5A-9 play as the top seed. “This has been a special year, and hopefully we continue it in the postseason,” he said.
Senior Inti Antunez has 15 goals and nine assists for Celebration. Junior Matheus Machado has 14 goals and 13 assists.
Junior John Matos is one of four players with double-digit goals scored for Seminole. Matos leads the team with 18 goals and five assists. Freshman Gabriel Toro has a team-high 15 assists with 11 goals scored.
Freedom junior Christian Oliva has scored 20 goals this season for the Patriots while senior Kewin Duque has 11 goals and a team-best 12 assists.
Senior Jonathan Masesa leads Olympia in both goals scored and assists. In 17 matches, he’s scored 15 times and assisted on nine goals.