Back-to-back: Belen Jesuit’s early goal leads to second consecutive soccer state title
They huddled up in unison when it was over.
“Back to back” they screamed as loud as they could.
The Belen Jesuit boys soccer team celebrated first by themselves and later with their loyal and rabid fans in the stands following a dramatic 1-0 victory over Panama City Beach Arnold in the Class 5A state championship game at Spec Martin Stadium on Saturday night.
A team that was down to its last 10 minutes a week ago before rallying to beat Tampa Jesuit on the road in a state semifinal was now enjoying another moment of euphoria biting into their championship medals they had around their neck while singing the ever-popular “Ole, Ole, Ole, Ole.”
“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 long-time Belen coach Tanger Mendonca, who also notched the program’s first state title back in 2016. “We knew how good this team was that we were playing tonight and that it would take a really huge effort to get it done and they got it done.”
Belen’s only goal came in the first half when Enzo Fernandez managed to find Stefano Naos with a crossing pass down low. Naos managed to get Arnold keeper Ryan Laymon to overcommit and then popped it into the left side of the net with 14:22 left in the first half.
“The play was off a good pass up the right back and I came open down low,” Naos said. “Once I saw the keeper go one way, I went the other. I’m so proud of my team, to go back-to-back, first time in Belen history, it’s an honor. Being a defending state champion has been unbelievably difficult because every team is on your back, you’re wearing a red dot on your back the entire time and it becomes a big-time challenge.”
The match was a rare meeting of two defending state champions.
Arnold won Class 4A a year ago before moving up into the 5A classification. The game came down to a frantic final few minutes in which the Marlins (22-2-1), ranked No. 8 in the nation by Max Preps put relentless pressure on the Belen defense and goalkeeper Jack Volpe.
An indication to the Wolverines that perhaps it was just going to be their night came with just over nine minutes left. Arnold’s Gavin Chester dribbled toward the middle of the field and came open for a clean shot from 20 yards out. The hard hit ball made it over the outstretched hands of Volpe and was headed into the net. But it bounced off the bottom of the crossbar and came straight down giving Volpe a chance to get to it and clear it.
The Wolverines (19-5-1) had numerous scoring chances in the second half. But Laymon was absolutely incredible, making diving save after diving save to keep it a one-goal and give his team a chance to tie it down the stretch.
Mendonca said: “This is a such a special moment and I’m so proud of my boys for what they have accomplished, they worked very hard and have earned this moment.”
This story was originally published February 26, 2022 at 10:04 PM.