One name, two standout soccer goalies in Miami-Dade and Broward Counties

This is a story about a 5-foot-7 goalie named Ashley, who is so good that she has earned a scholarship to play Division I college soccer.

Except that the description above actually fits two girls – Pine Crest’s Ashley Small, who has committed to Florida Atlantic; and LaSalle’s Ashley Fonseca, who is a Florida Gulf Coast recruit.

LaSalle coach Anthony Vuono said his school’s boys’ soccer coach, Richard Jobson, has often asked if he could have Fonseca play for his squad.

And even though that would not be within the rules, Vuono said, it’s still a compliment to Fonseca and her talent.

“She’s fearless,” Vuono said. “She trains with the male goalies, doing the same drills they do, and she shows them up. She out-trains them.”

Meanwhile, Pine Crest coach Lucia Carcieri said Small comes up big because of her leadership skills.

“She’s very vocal,” Carcieri said. “She motivates her teammates.”

Small, however, has missed most of the past two years due to injuries. As a sophomore, she suffered a hip injury and missed all but five games. Last year, she dislocated her left shoulder while diving for a ball in practice, missing the entire season.

She’s healthy now, but she admits she considered skipping her senior season.

“I wanted to be cautious and preserve my body for my college career,” Small said. “But, being a senior, I know how much I can help my team. I was able to make a big difference as a freshman, and, hopefully, I can do that again.”

Carcieri said Small has physical gifts that are hard to find in a high school goalie.

“She has great quickness and agility,” Carcieri said. “She jumps all over the place. Most of the time, she’s able to get some part of her body on the ball.”

Fonseca, who has played for the Honduras national team, has her own attributes.

“She moves better than any girl I’ve ever seen,” Vuono said. “She plays softball, and she could be a star in basketball and volleyball, too, if she had the time.

“Her athleticism is through the roof.”

Fonseca doesn’t lack for confidence. She said she was a “rebounding machine” when she played basketball in middle school.

“I can play any sport,” Fonseca said. “Just throw me out there, and I could figure it out in a couple of seconds.”

Besides Fonseca, LaSalle (7-9-3), which reached the regional quarterfinals, is led by forward Rebecca Baldelomar, an FIU recruit who is returning from an injury-plagued junior season. Forward Valentina Mangles (knee injury) is expected back in January, and the team has added 10 freshmen and sophomore transfer Senna Trafton (Miami Country Day).

Beside Small, Pine Crest (7-10-3) is led by seniors Olivia Morissey and Dannie Restrepo-Stier return.

MORE SEASON OUTLOOKS

▪ Weston Cypress Bay (18-3) made it to the state semifinals last season, and the Lightning graduated only four seniors. Senior forward Anto Solari (14 goals, 11 assists) and senior midfielder Ploy Nattakara (eight goals, three assists) are top returners.

▪ Parkland Douglas (16-3-1), which reached the regional finals, will be led by junior forward Grace Dykstra (16 goals, 10 assists). Junior Taylor Le and senior forward Layla Segelnick (11 goals, seven assists).

▪ Miami Dr. Krop (5-5-2), which lost in the regional quarterfinals to Lourdes, returns a trio of seniors - Dayanara Monetti, Sagine Atis and Savanah Blackman.

▪ Coconut Creek North Broward Prep (14-7-1), which reached the regional semifinals, has a young team with just three seniors and three juniors. The Eagles are deep, however, with the return of senior defender Anabelle Strati, who had a knee injury last season. Junior midfielder Sumayah Brown had 19 goals and 14 assists. Sophomore Ella Munoz leads the back line, and sophomore goalie Zoie Brown had eight shutouts.

▪ Miami Westminster Christian (9-7-2) won its second straight district title before losing in the regional quarterfinals. However, 15 seniors graduated, and new coach Gary Malebranche will rely on senior midfielder Nicole Barranchea, who made second-team All-Dade in 2023. Senior defender Julianna Pineiro is coming off a serious injury.

▪ Miami Country Day (11-5-2) have not settled on a goalie. Their top three players are junior attackers: Luisa Arcila, Kayla Kilstock and Mila Crespo.

▪ Plantation American Heritage (8-8) will be led by senior defenders Nyema Freeman (coming off knee surgery) and Dori Johnson. Junior defender Amanda Caines is another player to watch.

▪ Pembroke Pines West Broward, which made it to the regional quarterfinals, will be led once again by senior forward Isabella Rychel, who scored over 20 goals last season.

▪ Davie NSU University School lost in the Class 3A state final to Montverde, 6-0. That snapped a 10-game University unbeaten streak during which the Sharks outscored their opponents 42-9.

▪ Hollywood Chaminade (4-11-4) has some strong attacking players including senior Juliana Stanish (10 goals), junior Annabelle Rhodes (eight goals) and junior Sophia Garcia (eight goals).

This story was originally published October 31, 2023 at 7:00 AM.