Doral Academy dominates Coral Reef, braces for big test as girls’ soccer regionals begin
Doral Academy coach Omar Persad is happy to share every positive experience his girls’ soccer team can get.
Over the past three seasons, Persad has watched the Firebirds continue to evolve into one of South Florida’s better teams and learn how to win against top competition consistently.
On Tuesday night, Doral Academy took another such step by dominating against Coral Reef during a 3-0 victory in a Region 4-7A quarterfinal on its home field.
The Firebirds (11-5-2) advanced to the regional semifinals for the third consecutive season and now face the daunting challenge of taking on Cypress Bay on Friday night at 7 p.m. in Weston.
The Lightning, which beat Western 4-0 on Tuesday, have advanced to the state finals four consecutive seasons.
Doral advanced to its first regional final last season before losing to Lourdes Academy. The Firebirds moved up to Class 7A this season and face a new challenging road in their region that also includes Parkland Stoneman Douglas.
“I’m just happy for them to have this experience,” Persad said. “When you look at our schedule, we always want to go against good competition so we’re happy to face a team like Cypress Bay.”
Despite outshooting Coral Reef 8-2 in the first half, the teams were scoreless at the half. But the Firebirds drew two fouls inside the Barracudas’ 18-yard box. Olivia Vargas and Katelyn Billoch each converted the penalty kicks in the 56th and 69th minutes respectively.
“The first goal helped us and we got pumped and we just wanted more,” Billoch said. “I feel like we’re ready. Our team keeps growing and getting better and better.”
Rachel Brown had Doral’s lone goal scored in the run of play when she struck with 11:19 remaining in the second half. Ayla Ramos picked up the shutout.
“It took time for us to get into a rhythm, but we stepped up especially since we were missing some key pieces,” Persad said.
OTHER SCORES
▪ Region 4-6A quarterfinal - Fort Lauderdale 8, Miami Southwest 0: The Flying L’s won their first regional quarterfinal in school history. Chelcy McNally had four goals while Audrey Grzeszczak, Maddie Douglas, Sophia Henke and Olivia Park had one goal each. Lily O’Neil recorded the shutout. Fort Lauderdale will travel to Miami to take on Lourdes on Friday night.
▪ Region 4-6A quarterfinal - Lourdes Academy 8, Dr. Krop 0: Tessa Abreu led the Bobcats (15-1-2) with three goals and one assist while Alexandra Diaz scored twice. Cecilia Rodriguez had one goal and one assist. Mia Roca, Cecilia Rodriguez and Lorena Alvarez each scored one goal. Nicole Lee had two assists. Ariana Gonzalez, Camila Lago and Jessica Lee also had one assist. Stephanie Wyszkowski recorded the shutout.
▪ Region 4-6A quarterfinal - St. Thomas Aquinas 4, Everglades 0: Isabella Kleva scored two goals while Romiana Witek and Isabella Ruffolo each had one. Camryn McKewen recorded the shutout as the Raiders (13-3-2) advanced and will host Cooper City on Friday night.
▪ Region 4-5A quarterfinal - Plantation American Heritage 6, Riviera Beach Suncoast 0: Dori Johnson, Nyema Freeman, Lily Sargent Burns, Sami Villaverde, Ava Cipolla and Janea Johnson each scored one goal as the Patriots improved to 14-2-2 and will host Merritt Island on Friday.
▪ Region 4-5A quarterfinal - Pembroke Pines Charter 2, Terra Environmental 0: Natali Brito scored the game-winning goal and assisted on the second, which was scored by Camila Gomez. McKenzie Charles also had an assist and goalkeeper Madison Casanova recorded her eighth shutout of the season. The Jaguars (9-5-2) will travel to Archbishop McCarthy on Friday.
▪ Region 4-3A quarterfinal - Palmer Trinity 3, Coral Springs Charter 2: Olivia Baumberger, Scarlett Baur and Mackenzie Metka each had a goal while Lila Algarin and Gabriella Feetham recorded one assist. The Falcons (13-2-1) will host Westminster Christian next on Friday.
MORE SCORES
4-7A: Cypress Bay 4, Western 0; Stoneman Douglas 3, South Dade 0; Palmetto 2, West Broward 1; 4-6A: Cooper City 7, Varela 1; 4-5A: Archbishop McCarthy 8, American 0; 4-4A: Delray American Heritage 11, Westland Hialeah 0; North Broward Prep 3, St. Brendan 1; Cardinal Gibbons 3, MAST 0; Somerset Canyons 3, Somerset Academy 0; 4-3A: Westminster Christian 1, Carrollton 0; NSU University School 3, La Salle 0; Miami Country Day 3, Ransom Everglades 3 (MCD wins 5-4 in PKs); 4-2A: South Florida HEAT 8, Berean Christian 0; Westminster Academy 3, Sheridan Hills Christian 1; True North 5, Posnack 2; Glades Day 3, Archbishop Carroll 1.
This story was originally published February 7, 2023 at 10:55 PM.
