Dwyer boys headline series of close Tuesday playoff wins
Dwyer boys soccer was victorious on Tuesday night, defeating Oviedo by a narrow 1-0 score margin to advance to the regional semifinals.
The win avenged last year’s regional quarterfinals loss and gives the Panthers an opportunity to get back to the regional championship, which they last did in the 2021-2022 season.
While Dwyer (13-5-2) might lack a goto scoring threat -- the team doesn’t have a single player with double-digit goals -the Panthers rely on exceptional frontto-back play and a defense capable of shutting even the best teams down.
That mantra on both offense and defense was seen in Tuesday’s victory.
“We built up out of the back,” head coach Ahmad Abukhalil said of his team’s goal. “Got the ball out to Alex Morel on the right-hand side. He put a ball into the box for Jayson Lugosi, Jason took on his man, dribbled into the box, had a shot, the ball spilled out to Oliver [Robbins], and he ticked it home.”
It was the ninth goal of the season for Robbins’, a team high. That mantra is also showcased by Abukhalil’s selection of captains, Josh Vincent in goal and William Powell in the midfield.
“They’ve been great leaders by example,” Abukhalil said. “They know when to push their teammates. They know when to take over the game when they need to. And I thin those two have just been the catalysts for us.”
Lucas Cohen, Jake Cook, and Lex Tendrich are three more seniors on a roster dominated by upperclassmen that shined, on defense in particular, during the regional quarterfinals win.
While Abukhalil would like to see a space, obviously, and try to get into that goal. So I made space, beat my defender, ran short to the front post and kneed it into the top right.
“The adrenaline afterwards was just pure happiness.”
On the other end of the field, goalkeeper Antonio Andrade proved a tough nut to crack, even under threat of a penalty kick that would have given Jupiter a lead.
Facing a number of shots, he saved all but one.
“I feel amazing,” Andrade said. “I feel happy to be there for my team when they need me the most. Saving that penalty just gave us a heads-up that we could actually win this.” more consistent attacking display from his troops, it’s hard to argue with results – and the results state that teams are having a very tough time scoring on the Panthers. Dwyer is allowing, on average, just one goal per game, and the Panthers defense has been especially resistant during the team’s playoff run, collecting three straight postseason shutouts.
While that task might sound tougher to re-enact against top-seeded Viera on Friday, Dwyer is not without a collection of clutch moments during big games in a season where the schedule has not done the team any favors.
“There were a lot of games that tested the character of our team,” Abukhalil said. “We had a last-minute winner against Jensen Beach. Same thing with Centennial; that game ended up going down to the last minute. We had great games against teams like American Heritage-Plantation and American HeritageDelray.”
Jupiter set to return young core
It was not the ending Jupiter envisioned for their season, but the 2023-24 campaign is still one that head coach Kevin Allahar and company can look back on with pride.
“The guys played tough all year long, Allahar said. “My senior class, they were great. We’re pretty young.”
Of all the youth on the squad that is set to return, sophomore forward Erick Garcia offers some of the highest upside after breaking onto the attacking scene for the Warriors this year.
Pairing with Brennan Sims, Garcia gave Jupiter an additional option in the final third, and Allahar will be excited to
“All of those games helped us prepare for games like this, where it’s not the prettiest, but the result is all that matters,” Abukhalil continued.
Boys Royal Palm 1, Centennial 0
Royal Palm’s Sebastian Montes scored the game’s lone goal with 15 minutes remaining in the contest, setting up a regional semifinals matchup against undefeated Boca on Friday at 8 p.m.
Boca Raton 5, John I. Leonard 0
Boca unleashed a scoring frenzy in their regional quarterfinals victory, setting up a rematch against Royal Palm Beach, whom they defeated in last year’s regional tournament. The game will be on Friday at 8 p.m.
Olympic Heights 2, Jupiter 1
Olympic Heights got goals from Guilhermee Pes and Leo Burguete, plus a penalty save from Antonio Andrade in an upset victory over Jupiter, whose lone goal came from Brennan Sims. The Lions play at Celebration on Friday at 7 p.m.
Celebration 2, Palm Beach Central 0 Girls West Boca Raton 1, Martin County 0
Giovana Canali scored the lone goal in a tight game, assisted by Erin Hill. The Bulls handed Martin County just its second loss of the season behind strong defensive efforts by Sophia Biggs and Talia Badalamente in goal to advance to the regional semifinals against Viera on Friday at 5 p.m.
Jupiter 2, Spanish River 1
Jupiter edged out Spanish River in a tight victory on Tuesday, setting up a Palm Beach County regional semifinal against Boca on Friday at 5 p.m.
Boca Raton 6, Celebration 0
Boca was lethal in the final third on Tuesday, finding the back of the net six times to set up a regional semifinals match against Jupiter on Friday at 5 p.m.
Wellington 3, Olympic Heights 0
Wellington shut-out Olympic Heights to set up a regional semifinals match, which they will host against Treasure Coast on Friday at 7 p.m.