St. Thomas to defend its title
FORT LAUDERDALE – St. Thomas Aquinas will be back in Jupiter to defend its state title.
On Friday, the Raiders cruised past Miami Gulliver Prep 15-5 to advance to the state tournament for the fourth consecutive season. St. Thomas Aquinas will face Benjamin, who topped Naples-Barron Collier 10-4, in a rematch of last year’s state semifinal.
Senior attackman Jimmy Harrington, a Furman signee, led the way for the Raiders will seven goals on the night. Fellowattackman Kevin Crowley, who will play forHofstra next season tallied four goals, four assists.
“Kevin [Crowley] and I have been best friends for the past tenyears,” saidHarrington. “We’ve been playing together for the past ten years, so we know each other inside and out. We know where we’re going to be and that really helps.”
The Raiders jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in Friday’s Region 4 final and never looked back. The team took an 8-2 lead and cruised from there, earning a running clock as it took a 14-4 lead midway through the fourth quarter.
St. Thomas Aquinas has dominated in its postseason run so far, winning its first three regional games by at least right goals. Friday’s state semifinal will likely be more difficult.
The Raiders and Benjamin put on an absolute thriller in last year’s state semifinal, with STA midfielderJoeyGuglielmoscoring the game-winning goal in triple overtime to win 9-8.
St. Thomas Aquinas, whichwonits first state title last season, haswon 67 of its past 70 games, dating back to 2014.
“We’re not content,” said Crowley. “We’re on a mission again. It’s my fourth time there. We’re not done yet.”