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Miami Herald
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Region champion softball teams ready for state. Plus state hoops honors, state track nominees, boys' volleyball
Region 4-2A softball had plenty of excitement for South Florida teams, leading to an FHSAA state final four opportunity at Boombah-Soldiers Creek Park in Longwood. When the dust was cleared, Westminster Christian emerged as region champions, qualifying for the state semifinals. It wasn't easy. Miami Westminster Christian came from behind for the second consecutive postseason game, winning a close, extra inning battle, 9-8, over Miami Florida Christian for the Region 4-2A championship. Trailing 7-1, Westminster Christian scored four runs in the top of the sixth and two more in the top of the seventh to force extra innings. Each team scored in the eighth inning, and then the Warriors plated one run (the winner) in the top of the ninth and held on for the victory. In a region semifinal, they beat West Palm Beach Oxbridge Academy 9-8 in another dramatic comeback. Behind 8-1, Westminster Christian rallied with three runs in the bottom of the sixth and five more in the bottom of the seventh to win in a walk-off. Florida Christian also had a tough game in a region semifinal, edging Fort Pierce John Carroll 4-3 in 10 innings, winning in walk-off style, too. Leading 2-0, John Carroll evened things with two runs in the top of the fifth. In the eighth inning, each team scored once with the Patriots scoring in the bottom of the frame to continue the contest. Westminster Christian (20-7-1) will play Panama City North Bay Haven Academy (24-3) in a state semifinal on Tuesday. The Warriors seek their sixth state title. Region 4-2A Championship: Westminster Christian 9, Florida Christian 8 (9 inn.): WC: Winning Pitcher Kaley Dyer 9 IP, CG, 7 ER, 13 H, 6 BB, 3 K; Erin Perez 4-5, 2B, R, 2 RBI; Gigi Khoury 2-3, 2 2B, 2 BB, 2 R, 2 RBI; Jasmine Armenteros 2-5, 2B, 3 RBI; Mya Rodgers 1-4, Sac, R, 2 RBI; Casey Lesman 1-4, BB, 2 R; Abi Barboza 1-1, 3 BB, 2 R; Kaley Dyer 0-5, R. FC: Samantha Otano 3-4, Sac, R, RBI; Danbee Kim 2-5, 2 SB, 3 R; Emily Ruiz 2-3, BB, Sac, RBI; Emma Medina 2-4, 2B, HBP, 2 RBI; Charlee Arana 0-2, 2 BB, HBP, R. WC 20-7-1, FC 19-9. Region 4-2A Semifinal: Westminster Christian 9, West Palm Beach Oxbridge Academy 8: Winning Pitcher Kaley Dyer 5.1 IP, 6 R, 5 H, 4 BB, 2 K; P Mya Rodgers 1.2 IP, 2 R, 3 H, 3 BB, 1 K; Gigi Khoury 3-4, HR, 2 2B, HBP, 2 R, 6 RBI; Erin Perez 3-4, 2B, 2 R; Jasmine Armenteros 2-4, BB, RBI; Kaley Dyer 2-4, Mya Rodgers 1-5, 2B, R, 2 RBI; Abi Barboza 1-3, BB, R; Kelsie Kenny 1-2, BB, 2 R; Gaby Perez 0-3, BB, R. WC 19-7-1, OA 17-8. Region 4-2A Semifinal: Florida Christian 4, Fort Pierce John Carroll 3 (10 inn.): Winning Pitcher Serena Gillen 10 IP, CG, 3 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 9 K; Shaun Fernandez 2-4, 2 R; Samantha Otano 0-3, Sac Fly, RBI; Kayla Diaz 1-3, RBI; Kianny Gil 1-3, Sac Fly, 2 RBI; Danbee Kim 1-3, Emma Medina 1-4, 2B; Kaylie Gil 0-3, R; Emily Ruiz 0-3, BB, R. FC 19-8, JC 23-5. ▪ More area softball teams won region titles, advancing to state in Longwood. The Plantation American Heritage softball team won the Region 4-4A title by shutting out Key West 9-0. The Patriots scored one in the first, three in the second, one in the third, three in the fourth and one more in the sixth to cruise to victory. In the region semifinals, American Heritage staved off a late rally to edge Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy 6-5, and Key West came from behind to win a close one against Southwest Ranches Archbishop McCarthy 2-1. American Heritage (22-2) will play Seminole Osceola (23-7) in a state semifinal on Thursday. The Patriots seek their 10th state title. Region 4-4A Championship: Plantation American Heritage 9, Key West 0: AH: Winning Pitcher Lyric Rodriguez 7 IP, CG, 0 R, 5 H, 1 BB, 5 K; Emma Griffith 3-3, HR, 2 R, RBI; Bria Villano 2-3, 2B, HR, BB, R, 2 RBI; Isabella Benton 2-4, R, 2 RBI; Adrianna Layne 2--4, 2 R; Lyric Rodriguez 1-3, 2B, 2 RBI; Kylie Diaz 1-3, HR, R, RBI; Samantha Santana 1-3, R; Arianna Reynolds 1-4, RBI. KW: Shylo Sanchez 2-3, 2B. AH 22-2, KW 16-8. Region 4-4A Semifinal: Plantation American Heritage 6, Somerset Academy 5: AH: Winning Pitcher Lyric Rodriguez 7 IP, CG, 5 R, 2 ER, 4 H, 3 BB, 11 K; Emma Griffith 2-3, 2 2B, R, 2 RBI; Lyric Rodriguez 2-2, HR, BB, R, 2 RBI; Bria Villano 0-3, Sac Fly, RBI; Isabella Benton 1-1, 2B, 2 BB, R, RBI; Arianna Reynolds 0-2, BB, R; Adrianna Layne 1-4, R; Mia West 0-2, BB, R. Som: P Caitlyn Diaz 6 IP, CG, 6 R, 4 ER, 5 H, 5 BB, 5 K; Catalina Holguin 1-3, HR, R, 3 RBI; Kelsey Gonzalez 1-3, 2B, BB, 2 RBI; Ava DeLaCruz 0-1, BB, HBP, R; Kiera Carbone 0-4, R; Emily Munoz 0-3, HBP, R; Katie Bailey 1-4, R. AH 21-2, Som 11-13-1. Region 4-4A Semifinal: Key West 2, Archbishop McCarthy 1: KW: Winning Pitcher Brianna Brenner 7 IP, CG, 1 R, 3 H, 1 BB, 11 K; Maciee Gage 2-3, Winning HR, R, 2 RBI; Kaleaya Dickerson 0-1, 2 BB, R; Vera Rodger 2-4. AM: P Sienna Garcia 7 IP, CG, 2 R, 4 H, 4 BB, 14 K; Lydia Springer 1-3, 2B, RBI; Elizabeth Varona 1-3, 2B, R; Izabel Baron 2-2, BB. KW 16-7, AM 15-8. ▪ Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas won the Region 4-5A title with a 10-1 win over Stuart South Fork. South Fork scored its lone run in the top of the first and led 1-0 until the Raiders evened things in the bottom of the third. St. Thomas Aquinas took the lead the next inning and then put the game way with seven runs in the bottom of the fifth. In an exciting region semifinal, St. Thomas Aquinas held on for a 8-7 win over Prembroke Pines Charter. St. Thomas Aquinas (16-12) will play Niceville (21-6) in a state semifinal on Thursday. The Raiders vie for their seventh state title. Region 4-5A Championship: St. Thomas Aquinas 10, Stuart South Fork 1: Winning Pitcher Lavinia Miller 7 IP, CG, 1 R, 8 H, 4 BB, 6 K; Christina D'Agostino 3-4, 2B, R, 3 RBI; Melanie Sweet 2-3, 2B, BB, 2 R; Summer Givens 1-3, 3B, BB, R, 3 RBI; Sara Wrzosek 1-2, HR, 2 BB, 2 R, RBI; Jessica Sacca 1-3, Sac, R; Reese Randall 1-2, BB, Sac, R; Victoria Brunette 1-3, 2B, BB, R, RBI; Brianna Sims 1-3, BB, R; Ashlyn Ward 1-2, 2 BB, 2 RBI. STA 16-12, SF 17-7. Region 4-5A Semifinal: St. Thomas Aquinas 8, Pembroke Pines Charter 7: STA: Winning Pitcher Lavinia Miller 7 IP, CG, 7 R, 5 ER, 9 H, 1 BB, 7 K; Victoria Brunette 3-4, 2 2B, 3 R, 2 RBI; Sara Wrzosek 3-3, HR, 2B, R, 3 RBI; Brianna Sims 3-4, R, 3 RBI; Reese Randall 1-4, 2R; Jessica Sacca 0-4, R. PPC: P Destiney Ortega 6 IP, CG, 8 R, 5 ER, 11 H, 2 BB, 6 K; Yenisett Yescas 2-4, HR, 2B, R, 5 RBI; Destiney Ortega 3-4, 2 SB, 2 R; Sofia Rodriguez 1-3, 2B, Sac, 2 R; Ariana Bonilla 1-3, BB, 2 R; Isabella Pascual 0-4, RBI. STA 15-12, PPC 12-15. ▪ The Doral Academy softball team won the Region 4-6A title by defeating South Plantation 15-0. The state-bound Firebirds (29-1) scored 14 runs in the second inning. In the region semifinals, Doral beat Coconut Creek Monarch 10-0, and South Plantation upended West Boca 14-4. Doral will play Bloomingdale (19-7) in a state semifinal on Friday. The Firebirds, who won their first state title in 2021, are riding a 12-game win streak with its only loss this season to Alabama Orange Beach 7-2 on April 5. Region 4-6A Championship: Doral Academy 15, South Plantation 0: Winning Pitcher Meagan Villazon 3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 8 K; Sarah Breaux 3-3, HR, 2 R, 7 RBI; Lauren Ali 2-2, BB, RBI; Alondra Aldebol-Borrero 2-2, 2 R; Anabela Abdullah 0-2, HBP, 2 R, RBI; Ashley Tremont 0-1, BB, 2 R, 2 RBI; Zoey Abdullah 1-1, 2 BB, 3 R. Dor 29-1, SP 14-12. Region 4-6A Semifinal: Doral Academy 10, Monarch 0: Winning Pitcher Meagan Villazon 5 IP, CG, 0 R, 0 H, 0 BB, 10 K; Alondra Aldebol-Borrero 3-3, 3B, 2 R, RBI; Anabela Abdullah 2-4, HR, 2 R, 3 RBI; Leyani Viruet 2-2, 2 2B, BB, 2 RBI; Sarah Beaux 2-2, HR, 3B, BB, 2 R, RBI; Meagan Villazon 1-3, 2B, R, 2 RBI; Zoey Abdullah 1-3, BB, 2 R, RBI; Sara Utera 0-3, R. Dor 28-1, Mon 12-11. Region 4-6A Semifinal: South Plantation 14, West Boca 4: Winning Pitcher Reese Chesney 5 IP, CG, 4 R, 3 ER, 7 H, 2 BB, 8 K; Victoria Vazquez 4-4, 2 2B, 3 R, 5 RBI; Kylee Reaves 2-4, 2 HR, 2 R, 4 RBI; Amelia Rodriguez 2-4, 2B, 2 R, 3 RBI; Gianna DiLella 3-3, Samantha O'Steen 1-2, 2B, 2 BB, R, RBI; Tessa Bertsch 1-3, BB, R, RBI; Reese Chesney 1-4; Cyan Long 2 R; Isabel Arango R; McKenna Henschel Sac, R. SP 14-11, WB 6-15. ▪ Miami Christian defeated Miami Schoolhouse Prep 6-2 for the Region 4-1A title. Tied at one, Miami Christian rallied with five runs in the bottom of the fourth to control the game. In the region semifinals, the Victors beat Fort Lauderdale Westminster Academy 7-0, and Schoolhouse Prep defeated AIE 12-2. Miami Christian (16-8) will play Casselberry Geneva (21-3) in a state semifinal on Tuesday. The Victors are competing for their fifth state title. Region 4-1A Championship: Miami Christian 6, Schoolhouse Prep 2: SP: P Samantha Torres 3 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 3 BB, 0 K; Sofia Villa 2-3, 2B; Valeria Vazquez 1-3, R; Danna Viera 1-2, BB, R. MC 16-8, SP 15-10. Region 4-1A Semifinal: Schoolhouse Prep 12, AIE 2: Winning Pitcher Samantha Torres 3 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 2 BB, 4 K; P Analys Uriarte 3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 2 BB, 1 K; Valeria Vazquez 3-3, 2 2B, BB, 3 R, RBI; Francela Verdura 3-3, 2B, HBP, 2 R, 2 RBI; Ivanna Bulbarela 2-3, R, 2 RBI; Danna Viera 2-3, 2B, R, RBI; Angelly Benitez 2-3, 2B, 3B, 2 R; Michelle Dominguez 1-3, 2B, 3 RBI; Danyela Mandujano 1-1, 2B, R, 2 RBI; Sofia Villa 1-3, 2B, HBP, 2 R. SP 15-9, AIE 10-8. ▪ In 7A, defending state champ Davie Western won the Region 4-7A title in come-from-behind fashion. The Wildcats (20-5-1) play Oviedo Hagerty (23-6) in a state semifinal on Friday in Sarasota. Click this link for the story. ▪ Two of the state's top teams in any classification battled for the right to play at state, and Miami Somerset Academy Silver Palms edged Coral Springs Charter again for another 3A region title. The Stallions (22-6) play Dunedin (21-5) in a state semifinal on Wednesday. Click this link for the story. Basketball state honors Source Hoops presents the 2024-25 Boys' Basketball Class 5A and Class 6A All-State Teams. Fifteen players represent the best of the best for those high schools that participate in Class 5A of FHSAA boys' hoops, and 15 more who compete in Class 6A. Players were selected based on in-person evaluations, a review of all-area teams selected by media from around the state and without regard to a player's travel team or high school affiliation or his ranking by other outlets. In 5A, state champion Pompano Beach Blanche Ely was well represented. Players from Miami Belen Jesuit, Miami Norland and Pembroke Pines Charter were also chosen to the elite group. In 6A, state champion Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas had a few players make the list. Players from Coral Springs and Miramar were also selected for the prestigious honor. 5A FIRST TEAM Dylon Hannah, 6-2 Sr, Blanche Ely Nijaun Harris, 6-4 Fr, St. Petersburg David Barrea, 6-2 Sr, Ponte Vedra Max Ortega, 6-2 Sr, Pembroke Pines Charter Angelo Moton, 6-5 Jr, Leesburg 5A SECOND TEAM Aaron Pensel, 6-7 Sr, Tallahassee Leon Jeyelen Jonas, 6-3 Sr, Blanche Ely Carson Crawford, 6-6 Soph, Fleming Island Dallas Lambert, 6-4 Jr, Port Charlotte Lorenzo Major, 5-11 Sr, Norland 5A THIRD TEAM Cornelius White, 6-7 Sr, Gainesville J.T. Tipton, 5-11 Jr, Lecanto Ethan Hicks, 5-11 Sr, Wesley Chapel Orlando Roche, 6-2 Soph, Belen Jesuit Sam Powell, 6-4 Jr, Naples Golden Gate 6A FIRST TEAM Dwayne Wimbley, Jr., 6-6 Sr, St. Thomas Aquinas Arosco Dubois, 6-2 Sr, Orlando Evans Alex Pierre-Louis, 6-4 Sr, Coral Springs Treymar Jones, 6-2 Sr, Milton K.J. Smith, 6-3 Sr, Wiregrass Ranch 6A SECOND TEAM Clarence Westbrook, 6-1 Soph, St. Thomas Aquinas Tyson Gilbert, 6-6 Sr, St. Augustine Tocoi Creek Darius Washington III, 6-4 Sr, Orlando Edgewater Tre Chisholm, 6-4 Jr, Ocala Forest Aaron McGee, 6-2 Jr, Viera 6A THIRD TEAM D.J. Sandi, 6-0 Jr, St. Thomas Aquinas Brandon Brazell, 6-5 Jr, Stuart Martin County Josh Skinner, 6-4 Sr, Miramar Isaac Buckley, 6-5 Jr, Winter Park Lake Howell Myles Mayfield, 6-7 Sr, Orlando Edgewater State track nominees The Florida Dairy Farmers announced the list of nominees for FHSAA top state track & field honors, and the stellar group includes some local athletes. Those area athletes eligible for Miss Track, Mr. Track, Girls' Coach of the Year and Boys' Coach of the Year awards are: GIRLS 3A: Ariyanna Griggs (Dillard) Jr 100M Champion (11.74); Tyra Cox (Miami Northwestern) Sr 200M (22.99) & 400M (51.44) Champion; Alexia Reid (Dillard) Sr 100M Hurdles & 400M Hurdles Champion; Nyla Christian (Miami Northwestern) Jr Long Jump Champion (19-8); Lauren Kirby (Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy) Sr Shot Put (45-3 3/4) & Discus (161-8) Champion; Coach Davidson Gill (Dillard) Champion; Coach Carmen Jackson (Miami Northwestern) 2nd Place. 2A: Grace Aldrich (Carrollton) Sr 1600M Champion (4:52.98); Arianna Garcia (Carrollton) Jr 100M Hurdles & 400M Hurdles Champion; Alexa Schwartz (Coconut Creek North Broward Prep) Sr Javelin Champion (154-4); Coach Dylan Hermelee (Carrollton) Champion. 4A: Coach Alex Armenteros (St. Thomas Aquinas) 2nd Place. BOYS 3A: Braylen Bennett (Plantation American Heritage) Jr 100M (10.59) & 200M (20.66) Champion; Tywan Cox (Miami Northwestern) Sr 400M Champion (46.06); Joseph Socarras (Miami Belen Jesuit Prep) Sr 800M (1:52.27) & 1600M (4:10.11) Champion; Marcelo Mantecon (Miami Belen Jesuit Prep) Soph 3200M Champion (8:56.89); Jayden Cadet (Lauderdale Lakes Boyd Anderson) Sr High Jump Champion (6-7 1/2); Coach Victor Arrieta (Miami Belen Jesuit) Champion. 2A: Gabriel Carr (Miami Sunset) Sr 1600M Champion (4:17.71); Ian Newton (Key West) Sr Pole Vault Champion (15-3). 1A: Jimmy Bernatek (South Florida HEAT) Sr Pole Vault Champion (14-9). 4A: Remington Goins (Columbus) Sr Javelin Champion (198-7); Coach Danny Areces (Columbus) Champion. Boys' volleyball all stars The annual Miami-Dade Boys Volleyball All-Star Game is 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the game, featuring the top high school senior boys' volleyball players in the county. Barry University in Miami Shores is housing the event, organized by Daniel Benitez. There will be several coaches and players who were previous all-stars and all-star coaches in attendance. Admission $5. All-County Ballots High school coaches of spring varsity sports should have received their ballots to send Miami Herald All-Dade and Miami Herald All-Broward nominees. If you have not received a ballot, email hssports@ Send high school sports results For high schools in Broward and Miami-Dade counties, if you have varsity results and top performers (with stats), email hssports@ They will run in the newspaper and online. Photos accepted, too. No deadline. Send after the game, the next day or weekly. You will be alerted when it will appear in the newspaper and online. --- Roundup compiled by Jim Varsallone jvarsallone@
Miami Herald
20-03-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Mater Lakes and Florida Christian coaches are Dade Boys' Soccer Coaches of the Year
Two new programs crashed the final four party this year. For the first time in school history, Mater Lakes Academy reached the state semifinals and the Bears came up just short of their first state title, falling short in the final. For the first time since 2005, Florida Christian made it back to the state semis. At the end of a pair of breakthrough seasons, the Bears' and Patriots' coaches are the Miami Herald's Miami-Dade County Boys' Soccer Coaches of the Year. At Mater Lakes, Davide Favaro, who led St. Brendan to its first state title in 2022, has turned the Bears into a contender, too, and to earn honors as the Miami-Dade County Boys' Soccer Coach of the Year for Classes 7A-4A. At Florida Christian, Fernando Hernandez led an astonishing in-season turnaround to earn honors as the Dade County Boys' Soccer Coach of the Year for Classes 3A-1A. Before Favaro took over in 2022, the Bears had never even been to a region championship. After missing the Florida High School Athletic Association tournament in Favaro's first year, Mater Lakes reached its first region final in 2024, then got to the state title game for the first time this year, racking up 23 wins and losing only twice. The Bears fell behind by three goals in the Class 4A championship and couldn't quite battle back, falling 4-2 to Naples Barron Collier in their first ever trip to the state championship game. 'I'm very proud of my boys, they have been amazing,' Favaro said after the loss. 'Our team has been amazing. That's all I can say, and I am very proud of my team. I couldn't speak more positively about them.' The Patriots, meanwhile, finished the regular season with a losing record before going on an improbable run to the final four in the postseason. Florida Christian hadn't even made the FHSAA playoffs since 2010, but won its district tournament to grab the No. 6 seed in Region 4-2A, then ripped off three more wins to make a long-awaited return to the state semifinals. The Patriots struck first in the Class 2A semifinals, but ultimately fell short with a 2-1 loss to Melbourne Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy. 'As much as I'm hurting for these boys right now, there's nothing but a proud feeling for what they've accomplished over these last few weeks,' Hernandez said after the loss. 'It's an extremely difficult moment right now for everyone. All of us will go through it together, feel it and learn from it going forward. There's nothing to feel ashamed of or feel bad about. Everybody did their part, we just couldn't quite finish it.'
Miami Herald
07-03-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Results are in. Florida Christian soccer standout voted Miami Herald High School Athlete of the Week
Florida Christian soccer player Cristian Garcia is the Miami Herald's High School Athlete of the Week, as voted on by readers in our weekly poll. The senior scored the winner in a 1-0 victory over Miami Westminster Christian in a region semifinal and then had 1 goal and 1 assist in an upset 3-0 win over Miami Scheck Hillel for the region title to advance to the FHSAA state semifinal. Kenneth Francis Jr., Fort Lauderdale Calvary Christian basketball; Malaysia David, Miami Edison flag football; Samantha Villaverde, Plantation American Heritage soccer; Matthew Able, Weston Sagemont basketball; Mason Fuentes, Miami Riviera Prep basketball; Jalynn Belton, Miami Country Day basketball; Nykeria Flowers, Oakland Park Northeast basketball; Willow White, Homestead South Dade wrestling; and Dwayne Wimbley, Fort Lauderdale St. Thomas Aquinas basketball rounded out the nominees. The Miami Herald Athlete of the Week poll opens Sunday every week and closes around 10 p.m. Thursday.
Miami Herald
27-02-2025
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Florida Christian's memorable run to the boys soccer state semifinals comes to abrupt end
It was all there for the Florida Christian boys soccer team. A magical journey through the regional playoffs as a No. 6 seed leading all the way to the state final four was about to get even better. The Patriots, a team that didn't even finish .500 in the regular season and needed to win its district just to qualify for regionals, was less than 10 minutes away from upsetting No. 1 seed Melbourne Holy Trinity and locking up a berth in the state championship game. And then it all fell apart. Despite enjoying a man advantage after a Holy Trinity player was red carded with 16 minutes left in the game, Florida Christian could not hang on to a 1-0 lead, getting scored on twice in the last 10 minutes to drop a heartbreaking 2-1 decision in a Class 2A state semifinal on Thursday afternoon at Spec Martin Stadium. In even more heartbreaking fashion, just when it looked like the Patriots would at least force overtime and still enjoy a man advantage, Holy Trinity scored the game-winning goal with just 25 seconds left in regulation. The Tigers (19-0-1) advance to their first-ever state championship game and will take on Tallahassee Maclay for the title on Saturday at 4 p.m. 'As much as I'm hurting for these boys right now, there's nothing but a proud feeling for what they've accomplished over these last few weeks,' Florida Christian coach Fernando Hernandez said. 'It's an extremely difficult moment right now for everyone. All of us will go through it together, feel it and learn from it going forward. There's nothing to feel ashamed of or feel bad about. Everybody did their part, we just couldn't quite finish it.' After an non-descript, evenly played first half, Hernandez watched his team take that 1-0 lead when Alex Bennetot got to a loose ball down low on the left hand side and managed to squeeze a tight-window pass through two Holy Trinity defenders to teammate Cristian Garcia. Garcia found himself one-on-one with Holy Trinity keeper Chandler Draper and one-touched it past him into the bottom right corner of the net with 31:28 left in regulation. Things got even better for the Patriots with just over 16 minutes left when Holy Trinity's Kush Barochia drew a red card and subsequent ejection for a violent hard foul on Bennetot. With a man advantage and a one goal lead, Patriot fans, a large and noisy contingent that made the four hour trip up, began to celebrate. But any celebrating came to an abrupt halt with 9:25 left when the Tigers managed to tie the game. With Holy Trinity pushing everyone up in attempt to get the equalizer, Nathan Combs dropped a perfect pass from the right side in front of the net that Florida Christian keeper Adrian Bennetot could not get to and Evan Spreitzer headed into the top left corner of the net. Now a little panicked and with the momentum gone, Florida Christian struggled offensively and Holy Trinity, despite being short-handed kept the pressure on. Just when it looked like the Patriots would get the game to overtime and possibly regroup came the final blow. With the clock ticking and inside of 30 seconds, Jake Wells sent a wind-aided throw-in from the corner that started bouncing around loose in front of the net. Adrian Bennetot struggled to find the loose ball in traffic before Cooper Euziere went down low, reached out with his right leg and tapped the ball into the bottom right corner of the net. 'Once we got the man advantage, we were looking to play to the sides, looking to possess the ball,' Hernandez said. 'But we got into a little bit of what I call hopeful soccer where the ball is just up in the air, nobody owns it, a lot of 50-50 ball that we just didn't win and paid the price for it.' Stunned Patriot players and coaches for that matter including Hernandez sat motionless on their bench for at least five minutes after the game was over, not moving and not saying a word. 'We were very confident and maybe we got too confident,' said Garcia about what changed after Barochia got the red card. 'We started to get too relaxed and it wound up biting us in the neck. But no matter, as much as it hurts right now, we're still so proud of what we did and how we got here. To come from where I was as a freshman when the program actually shut down to where we were today – I can't be more proud of my teammates and what we accomplished.' Hernandez added: 'Lots of times when you're inside of something, you're not able to step outside and understand how big it is. I think once a few months pass by, maybe even a few years, we'll all be able to really appreciate what an amazing season and run this was.'
