Majestic goal enough for Miami Beach to secure first GMAC boys’ soccer title since 1999
Mathew Brid is usually the distributor on the pitch for the Miami Beach boys’ soccer team.
But every once in a while, his teammates will be the first to encourage him to let her rip when he has a good look at the goal.
On Friday night, Brid trusted his instincts and put a perfect shot on goal from roughly 35 yards out. With perhaps a little help from the wind on a blustery night at Traz Powell Stadium, the shot found the back of the net over Columbus goalkeeper Stefan Anzola’s reach, giving the Hi-Tides the only score they would need to secure a 1-0 win and the school’s first GMAC championship in the sport since 1999.
“I just took a chance,” Brid said. “I’m more of a creator (of scoring chances), and I don’t take too many shots, but this time I said, I’m going to do it.”
Miami Beach’s defense did the rest, keeping the Explorers off the board despite a few close chances in the second half to even things up.
The Hi-Tides (13-2), who are seeking to make a deep playoff run much like they did when they reached the state final in 2018, defeated Varela and Mourning in the earlier rounds of the tournament this week.
Fresh off this title and a triumph in the Tampa Bay Invitational last week, Miami Beach will enter the district playoffs in two weeks as the top seed in its region in Class 6A.
“That tournament win in Tampa last week came against good competition and helped us a lot,” Miami Beach coach Edgar Botto said. “I think the kids are much more confident now.”The Hi-Tides prevailed despite resting multiple starters, but Brid and others picked up the slack.
Brid, who left the team as a sophomore and returned to the squad last season, delivered the game-winner in the 23rd minute.
He is one of 15 seniors on Miami Beach’s roster, which is a wealth of experience Botto hopes can propel the team down the stretch. The Hi-Tides were eliminated in the regional semifinals in penalty kicks by Krop last season - a loss that Botto said has provided motivation since.
“We learned a lot from last year,” Botto said. “I keep reminding them about it and that’s been keeping us on track and hopefully we keep it up.”
This story was originally published January 13, 2023 at 10:38 PM.
