Doral’s McDonald, Belen’s Mendoca, St. Brendan’s Favaro are Boys’ Soccer Coaches of the Year

Three Miami-Dade teams brought home boys’ soccer state championships this season.

So, naturally, all three of their coaches were named Miami Herald coaches of the year.

For Classes 7A-5A, Doral Academy’s Pam McDonald and Belen Jesuit’s Tanger Mendoca are splitting the honors after leading their teams to back-to-back state titles. In the Class 4A-2A division, St. Brendan’s Davide Favaro gets the nod after leading the Sabres to their first-ever boys’ soccer title — and first state title in any boys’ sport in nearly four decades.

McDonald’s Doral Academy team went 16-2-3 this season, capped with a 3-2 win over Melbourne Viera in the Class 6A title game. The game was tied 2-2 early in the second half before senior midfielder Mateo Hincapie netted the game-winner in the 54th minute.

The Firebirds completed the back-to-back by utilizing their depth throughout the season. Nine players scored at least three goals throughout the season with just one (Carlos Zambrano) scoring more than ten.

“It’s the heart of these guys, they never say die,” McDonald, who became the first female coach in state history a year ago to win a state title coaching a boys soccer team, said after guiding her team to a second consecutive title. “We have such a rotation and such a belief that we can overcome anything.”

Mendoca’s Wolverines finished the season 19-5-1 and defeated Panama City Beach Arnold in the Class 5A title game. Senior Stefano Naos scored the only goal of the game, his 12th of the season, in the 26th minute and Belen’s defense held firm the rest of the way.

The Wolverines allowed just two goals over their final seven games.

“This is just remarkable, to come all the way back after last year’s championship and do this again tells you everything you need to know about the strength and determination of these boys,” said Mendonca, who also notched the program’s first state title back in 2016.

And as for St. Brendan? Favaro guided the Sabres to not just their first boys’ soccer title; it was St. Brendan’s first state title in any major boys’ sport since its baseball team won the state title in 1983.

The Sabres went 17-1-3 this season, outscored opponents 63-15 and won the Class 4A state title with a 1-0 win over Orlando Bishop Moore.

Junior Alex Rodriguez, who had a team-high 28 goals, scored the only goal in the championship game and goalkeeper Pipe Rodriguez was solid in net as St. Brendan recorded its ninth shutout of the season, including five in a row in the playoffs to close out the season.

This story was originally published April 6, 2022 at 10:00 AM.