Gulliver Prep boys rally past North Broward prep to reach state soccer semifinals
History was in favor of the Gulliver Prep boys’ soccer team.
The Raiders entered their Class 4A regional final at North Broward Prep with six state titles to their credit and a victory earlier in the season against the Eagles.
Up by a goal, North Broward finally succumbed to the pressure, yielding a pair of goals in a matter of three minutes.
Max Clivio scored the game-winner on a header from 8 yards out in the 65th minute as Gulliver Prep completed the rally for a 3-2 victory over North Broward Prep on Wednesday.
The Raiders (13-7-4) will play at the winner of the Bishop Moore/Merritt Island match in a state semifinal on Saturday. Gulliver is looking to win its first state title since 2015.
“For us, it was about being defensively strong and taking care of opportunities,” Gulliver Prep coach Chris Bart Williams said. “If we hadn’t defended well, we would have had problems.
“We’re competing to get back to the glory days, and the kids that have come in here have done a wonderful job.”
North Broward (19-4-1) also was limited in its goal scoring with sophomore 30-goal producer Christian Doher out with a right knee injury. The Eagles entered Wednesday’s regional match with a 14-0-1 record in the previous 15 games.
The Eagles were seeking a trip to the state semifinals for the first time in 10 years.
“We had to trust the guys on the field and had to play our best,” North Broward Prep coach Diego Cardona said. “We had to play tough and show our heart.”
Ignacio Garcia-Morillo tied the score at 2-2 on a penalty kick in the 65th minute.
The Raiders opened the scoring in the 11th minute on a Cole Ritzenathier goal assisted by Sebastian Paz for a 1-0 lead.
Gulliver was by far the more physical and aggressive team throughout the first half, so North Broward was fortunate to be tied 1-1 at intermission.
Despite being manhandled physically, North Broward scored the first-half equalizer on an Ethan Strati penalty kick in the 17th minute.
Gulliver was called for numerous fouls and a pair of yellow cards.
REDEMPTION FOR CARROLLTON GIRLS
Nearly a year to the day that saw them squander a 2-0 lead to Cardinal Gibbons in the final 20 minutes of a regional final and lose out on a state final-four berth, it was redemption time for the Carrollton girls’ soccer team on Tuesday.
Carrollton this time found itself coming from behind to win, scoring twice within two minutes in the game’s final 15 minutes to knock off Palmer Trinity 2-1 in a Region 4-3A championship game at Carrollton School.
With that, the Cyclones (16-2) advanced to their first state semifinal and will host Orlando Lake Highland Prep in a 3A semifinal at their school on Friday at 3 p.m. Annie Diaz-Silveira and Nat Hoadley scored the two goals, and Lexi Molina and Fatima Perez-Hickman had the assists.
BILL DALEY
SOFTBALL
▪ Krop 13, Mourning 0: Kirra Magana 3-4, RBI, Jaylene Tomlinson 2-3, 2B, Jenna Opalak 3-5, HR. WP: Jenna Opalak 2H, 14 Ks.
▪ Colonial Christian 20, Westwood Christian 1: Morgan Wells 2 innings 4Ks, 2SB, 3 RBIs; Emily Downing 1I, K, Peyton Housh, 4 RBIs, Kelsey Pesina 2RBIs, Juliette DelValle 1S, 2 RBIs. CC: 2-0.
▪ Hialeah Gardens 14, Miami Beach 1.
GIRLS’ BASKETBALL
▪ Region 4-7A semifinal — Krop 74, Cypress Bay 45: Lauryn Hornstein enjoyed a huge night for the Lightning by scoring 40 points including eight three-ponters. Brianna Knowles (17 points, 9 rebounds), Lindsey Weingard (7 points, 12 assists), Emmy Mills (6 points) and Kam Walker (2 points, 10 rebounds) also contributed to the win. Krop will travel to take on Miami High in a Region 4-7A final on Friday at 7 p.m.
BASEBALL
▪ Southwest 4, Reagan 0: WP: Alex Pereira 5 shutout innings and also singled, walked and scored a run. Allen Gonzalez RBI, Brandon Andrade and Joel Rodriguez combined for the save.
▪ Belen Jesuit 14, Palmetto 6: WP: Jack Sampedro, 2 IP, 0R, 5Ks; Sparky Carbajales 2 for 4, 3 RBI, 2R; Lou DeGoti 4-for-5, 2B, RBI, 2R; Dorian Gonzalez 2-for-5, HR, 2B, 3 RBIs, 3R, Andrew Lamazares 1-for-3, 3 RBI, 2R. BEL: 2-0.