Gulliver boys’ soccer moves closer to repeat state title, potential national crown
For over three decades, the Gulliver Prep boys’ soccer team has been one of the best and most consistent programs in the state.
Its eight state titles during that span are tied for the second-most in state history with Plantation American Heritage.
But this year’s squad could be their deepest and most talented.
And they’re aiming for an even higher goal.
The Raiders are ranked No. 1 not only in the state but nationally as well by MaxPreps and the National Soccer Coaches Association of America.
Gulliver gave another demonstration of its might Tuesday at its home field when it struck early and often on its way to a 3-0 victory over Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons in a Region 4-4A quarterfinal.
The Raiders (21-0-1), the No. 1 seed in the region, advanced to the semifinals on Friday where they will host Boynton Beach Somerset Canyons at 3 p.m.
Gulliver is aiming to win back-to-back state titles for the third time in program history and win their ninth state title overall, which would tie it with Clearwater Central Catholic for the most all-time.
“We’ve played some really well-coached teams and performed really well, but we have four more potentially to play so it’s about keeping them well-grounded and ready for the task,” Gulliver coach Scott Davidson said. “They train very well and have a good time together when they train well and care about the outcome and have all been at the school since they were kids so this really means something to them.”
The Raiders are on a 27-match unbeaten streak with their lone draw coming against Downtown Doral, a regional semifinalist in Class 3A, last week.
Gulliver’s roster is loaded with talented players including some multi-sport stars such as sophomore Jacob Lombard and senior Cosme Salas, a Duke University signee who did not play Tuesday due to a minor injury but is expected to return this postseason.
Lombard is a highly-touted baseball prospect like his older brother, George, a first-round draft pick of the New York Yankees last year.
On the soccer field, Lombard is one of the team’s most versatile players. On Tuesday, he showed it by scoring a pair of goals including a header off a free kick in the opening moments of the match. In the 58th minute, Lombard headed home a perfectly-placed corner kick by Jorge Gouvea for his second. Gouvea then tallied an empty-net goal in the closing moments after Gibbons’ keeper had come out to challenge a downfield rush.
“We’ve had some bumps here and there, but we’ve been focused and we’ve had some games where we’ve needed some extra focus,” Lombard said. “We’re on a good streak now and we want to keep it that way.”
Gulliver’s defense was impeccable as it has been most of the season. The Raiders have allowed only six goals this season and posted 17 shutouts including a pair of double-overtime blankings in the recent district playoffs against Miami St. Brendan and Miami MAST Academy.
“We’ve been fortunate to use 24 or 25 guys most games,” Davidson said. “We’re trying to build not only for this year but next year. That’s been our formula and that’s why we’ve been good for about 50 years and we want to be good for 50 more.”
Region 4-4A quarterfinal - Mater Lakes 3, Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy 2: Gabriel Zapata led the Bears (13-0-1) to the win with two goals. Sebastian Cruz also had a goal. Mater Lakes will host Delray American Heritage on Friday in the regional semifinals.
Region 4-3A quarterfinal - Davie NSU University 3, Homestead Keys Gate 0: Nicholas Marques led the Sharks with two goals while Daniel Ciffoni had one. Raul Leyva had two assists. Matthew Jean Baptiste recorded his 10th shutout of the season. University School (15-2-2) will next host Downtown Doral on Friday night in the region semifinals.
Region 4-3A quarterfinal - Doral Divine Savior 3, Miami Palmer Trinity 2: Miguel Petter scored two goals to lead the Sharks (12-3-1). Rodrigo Vanasoste scored a goal. Ethan Van Romondt and Baltazar Torres each scored for the Falcons. Divine Savior will travel to play at La Salle on Friday at 7 p.m. in the regional semifinals.
Region 4-2A quarterfinal - Archimedean 2, Miami SLAM 2 (Archimedean wins 5-4 in PK): Yohan Collera and Georgios Sarris each had a goal for Archimedean before it prevailed in penalty kicks. Archimedean will next travel to play Scheck Hillel Friday at 3 p.m.
MORE BOYS’ SCORES
Region 4-4A quarterfinals: Somerset Canyons 3, Coconut Creek North Broward Prep 0; Delray American Heritage 1, Miami MAST Academy 0.
Region 4-3A quarterfinals: Miami La Salle 3, Aventura Don Soffer Academy 0.
Region 4-2A quarterfinals: Miami Scheck Hillel 8, Lake Worth Trinity Christian 0; West Palm Beach Berean Christian 2, Miami Christian 2 (Berean wins 4-2 in PK); Pompano Beach Highlands Christian 2, Miami Archbishop Carroll 0.
MORE GIRLS’ SCORES
Region 4-4A quarterfinals: North Broward Prep 5, Mater Lakes 0; Cardinal Gibbons 4, MAST Academy 0; Delray American Heritage 3, Miami St. Brendan 2; Somerset Canyons 3, Somerset Academy 0.
Region 4-3A quarterfinals: NSU University School 8, Miami Westminster Christian 0; Coral Springs Charter 3, Palmer Trinity 1; Miami Edison 3, Homestead Somerset South 2; Miami Ransom Everglades 5, Miami Carrollton 1.
Region 4-2A quarterfinals: True North 8, Archbishop Carroll 0; Westminster Academy 2, Westwood Christian 1; Berean Christian 2, Davie Posnack 1; Davie South Florida HEAT 7, Scheck Hillel 0.
