Cypress Bay earns payback vs. Coral Gables, advances to boys’ soccer regional finals
Cypress Bay’s boys’ soccer team isn’t used to its seasons ending abruptly in the first round of regionals.
But a year ago, an underdog Coral Gables squad shocked the Lightning by sending them home in the regional quarterfinals.
Cypress Bay knew it needed to strike quickly to make sure that history didn’t repeat itself on Friday night. Senior Nicolas Preciado did the honors when he fired a shot that found the mark in the 32nd minute, giving the Lightning all the cushion they would need during a 1-0 win over the visiting Cavaliers in a Region 4-7A semifinal at Cypress Bay.
“Playing these teams almost every year makes it a tough game,” Cypress Bay coach Colin Ilgner said. “The guys dug in and we have the quality and the next thing is the mentality and if we put those two together, that’s important.”
The Lightning are hoping the victory will catapult them back to state and potentially to their seventh state title and second in three seasons.
But Cypress Bay (16-3) faces a major obstacle against a program that’s enjoyed similar success in recent years.
The Lightning will next take on Doral Academy, which is seeking its third state title in four seasons. The Firebirds advanced following a 1-0 win Friday over Stoneman Douglas.
“They’re in a good spot. The talent is there. It’s just about mindset,” Ilgner said. “If they can stay focused they can win. Doral will be a tough task but we’re up for it and we want to play good teams.”
Preciado’s goal was huge to allow Cypress Bay to be more aggressive while not allowing Gables to pack things in better on defense.
The Lightning defenders did the rest by keeping the Cavaliers (11-7-1) from producing any serious scoring chances.
“Coral Gables came in with a strong middle block which was hard to break so the goal opened up the game a little bit,” Ilgner said. “We didn’t want to play a team that could counterattack and maybe score and then go back into that block.”
MORE BOYS’ SOCCER
▪ Region 4-7A semifinal - Doral Academy 1, Stoneman Douglas 0
▪ Region 4-6A semifinal - South Broward 1, Krop 1 (S. Broward wins 4-3 in PKs)
▪ Region 4-5A semifinal - Reagan 0, Belen Jesuit 0 (Reagan wins 4-2 in PKs); Pembroke Pines Charter 2, Archbishop McCarthy 0
This story was originally published February 16, 2024 at 11:21 PM.
