After top coach retires, Doral hires boys' soccer coach. Plus lacrosse, boys' volleyball, more

Miami Herald

28-03-2025

Doral Academy hired Renatto Soriano as its new boys' soccer coach.
He replaces retiring Pam McDonald, who stepped down after a tremendous tenure with the Firebirds. During that time, she became the first female coach in state history to lead a boys' soccer team to a state title when Doral won state in 2021. She led the Firebirds to a second state title in 2022. They were a state semifinalist this past season.
As for Soriano, he has more than 15 years of coaching experience, bringing a wealth of knowledge and success to Doral Academy. Currently, he is serving as the MLS Next Academy Director at Miami Fútbol Academy Rush. He also holds a USFF Academy Director License, a USSF 'A' License and is a candidate of Class 6 of the MLS Elite Formation Coaching License (EFCL).
According to a Doral Academy press release, Soriano is eager to implement his coaching education and methodology, championship-winning experience and dynamic game plan to the Doral Academy soccer program. His mission is to build a strong soccer culture, guiding student athletes toward excellence on and off the field.
Boys' volleyball
The Miami Columbus boys' volleyball team placed third at the Miami Volley Classic.
The Explorers went 4-1 in the two-day event. On day one at Miami Dade College Kendall and Miami Belen Jesuit, they won three matches in three sets, coming from behind in two of them.
Columbus (14-2) came from behind to beat Miami Coral Gables 23-25, 25-18, 15-11. They then defeated Miami Palmetto 25-18, 23-25, 15-8, and followed up with another come-from-behind effort over Miami High 21-25, 25-19, 15-8.
On day two in the Gold semifinals at Miami Dade College Kendall, Miami Doral Reagan won a close battle over the Explorers 25-22, 24-26, 15-12. Columbus rebounded by beating Weston Cypress Bay 25-17, 25-15 for third place.
Columbus middle blocker Matias Claure made the All-Tournament Team.
Columbus top performers for the tournament: Matias Claure 22 kills, 2 hitting errors, 13 block assists.; Charlie Friguls 134 assists, 32 digs, 1 ace; Daniel Rubi 34 kills, 43 digs, 1 ace; Dante Muñecas 31 kills, 12 digs, 4 aces; Matthew Fernandez 32 digs, 8 assists, 1 ace; Lucas Riva 49 kills, 28 digs, 3 aces.
More boys' volleyball
Down two games, Pembroke Pines West Broward rallied to win the next three in an exciting road win over Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons.
West Broward d. Cardinal Gibbons 16-25, 18-25, 25-18, 25-20, 15-13: Lukas Chiarella 15 kills, 5 blocks, 21 serve receive; Jordan Quintanilla 9 kills, 8 blocks; Gabriel Hector 6 kills, 23 blocks; Max Fischman 41 assists, 9 blocks, 15 digs; Israel Hector 12 blocks, 17 digs. WB 6-2, CG 5-4.
Lacrosse
Going into Spring Break, Coach Jacob Cropley's Miami Palmetto boys' lacrosse team is 8-5.
The Panthers beat Miami St. Brendan 12-6 and Miami Westminster Christian 10-4. They lost close battles to Weston Cypress Bay 9-8 in overtime and to Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian 9-7.
Palmetto senior goaltender / captain David Cohn was the Player of the Game against Westminster Christian, allowing 2 goals on 9 shots in the win. Freshman goaltender Drew Jacobs also received playing time against the Warriors. On MaxPreps, Cohn is currently ranked No.11 in Florida in save percentage at .700 and No.11 nationally in total saves with 133 stops.
Seniors Jake Hawkins and Lucas Bauza each had 3 goals to lead the Panthers in scoring against Westminster Christian. Junior Maddox Fernandez scored his first career high school goal and led the defense with 4 groundballs and 2 takeaways.
Against St. Brendan, senior Jake Hawkins led Palmetto in scoring with 4 goals and 2 assists, followed by senior Ben Martinez with 3 goals and 2 assists. Cohn played 40 minutes in goal in the win, recording 7 saves on 11 shots on goal.
Against Calvary Christian, senior Lucas Funcia led Palmetto with 4 goals and 1 assist, and senior Aiden Berreras picked up 10 groundballs and won 6 faceoffs. Cohn made 9 saves on 17 shots on goal, but it was not enough to defeat the 8-2 Eagles.
More lacrosse
The Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy girls' lacrosse team entered Spring Break at 5-9 with wins over South Plantation, Key West, Miami Country Day, Miami Gulliver Prep and Cooper City.
The Mavericks beat Cooper City 15-4 with Ava Valdivieso (4 goals, 2 assists, 7 groundballs, 10 draws controlled), Sofia Rawda (3 goals, 2 assists) and Carson Kroll (3 goals, 2 groundballs, 2 draws controlled) leading the way.
In Archbishop McCarthy's 17-3 win over Miami Gulliver Prep, Kroll had a game-leading 7 goals and 2 assists with 4 draws controlled and 2 groundballs. Valdivieso added 5 goals, 8 groundballs and 6 draws controlled. Goaltender Josephine Mens made 6 saves in 48 minutes. For the Raiders, Adria Davenport had 2 goals.
Archbishop McCarthy beat Miami Country Day 16-10 with Kroll totaling 8 goals and 1 assist. Valdivieso had 2 goals, 3 assists, 12 draws controlled and 8 groundballs, and Hayden Hughes scored 3 times and controlled 6 draws. For the Spartans, Olivia Pelletier had 2 goals, 2 assists and 4 groundballs. Teammates Sofia Cortes and Marguax Giraud each scored 3 goals.
In an 18-14 loss to Miami Ransom Everglades, Kroll had 8 goals, 2 assists and 2 draws controlled, and Valdivieso had 4 goals, 2 assists, 6 groundballs and 2 draws controlled.
Baseball
Doral Academy 13, Palmetto 1: Dylan Prince 1-3, HR 3 RBI; Bryan Mesa 1-2, 2 RBI: Tyler Rodriguez 1-2, RBI; Winning Pitcher Matthew Paez 3 IP, 0 ER, 4 K. Dor 15-2-1.
Send high school sports results
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Roundup compiled by Jim Varsallone
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