Boys’ soccer preview: Westminster Christian player eager to play in cancer fundraiser

Markus Ruiz didn’t cry.

He was 12 years old when his father, Jorge Ruiz, died of cancer. Jorge, 45, had been sick with leukemia for five years, and he was in a hospital for the final six months of his life.

In addition to the trauma of losing his father, Markus nearly lost his mother, Alexis Ruiz, who was diagnosed with breast cancer on September 11, 2023. Thankfully, Alexis’ cancer is in remission.

But even with all of that, Markus has listened to some of his father’s final words.

“My father told me not to cry,” Markus Ruiz said. “He told me to stay strong.”

Ruiz, now a 16-year-old soccer standout at Westminster Christian, has stayed strong in the classroom – he has a 4.1 grade-point average and is planning on becoming a defense attorney.

Ruiz, a junior defender, has also stayed strong on the soccer pitch, helping Westminster post an 11-5-2 record last season as the Warriors reached the Class 3A regional quarterfinals.

A 5-11, 180-pounder, Ruiz also plays linebacker for Westminster’s football team, but his goal is to play Division I soccer.

“Markus is the total package,” Westminster soccer coach Josh Kirk said. “He has great size for his age and his position, and he’s a potential All-Dade soccer player. He’s a rock.”

Given how hard Ruiz’s family has been hit by cancer, it’s fitting that the Warriors this season – for the first time – will compete in the Red Card for Cancer soccer tournament Jan. 2-4 in Vero Beach.

Although the matchups won’t be determined until December, there will be eight teams in the tournament, including two from Miami – Westminster and Columbus.

Ruiz said he was elated when he heard Westminster had agreed to play in this tournament, which will raise funds for cancer research.

“This can help a lot of people,” Ruiz said.

Alexis Ruiz, 49, had similar thoughts. Even though her illness, known as “triple-negative breast cancer”, is in remission, it’s been a fierce battle against a rare and aggressive form of the deadly disease.

“I was excited when my son told me about the tournament,” she said. “It’s a great cause because not everyone has the money for treatment. More awareness can give people a better chance at survival.”

Aside from Ruiz, Westminster Christian will be led by senior Sebastian Salas and junior Luciano Zuniga. The Warriors have dropped from Class 3A to 2A, which might provide an easier path to state.

In 10 years coaching the Warriors, Kirk has led the squad to seven regional quarterfinal berths and one state final in 2021, losing 4-2 to Tampa Catholic.

MIAMI-DADE POWER

Gulliver, which went 25-0-1 last season to win its second straight Class 4A state title, will be led by three key senior forwards.

They are: Jorge Gouvea (four goals, six assists); Nicolas Pineros (four goals, two assists); and Taro Ochi (eight goals, five assists).

Gulliver also has junior defender Jacob Lombard, who doubles as a baseball star and MLB Draft prospect; and sophomore midfielder Santiago Mendoza.

The Raiders, who have moved down to Class 3A, are hoping for another great season even though it will be tough to match 2023-2024. Besides the state title, the Raiders were ranked No. 1 in the country by the National Soccer Coaches Association. They were also No. 2 by MaxPreps.

“Gulliver has a great tradition in soccer that goes back 50 years,” fourth-year Raiders coach Scott Davidson said. “We graduated 15 seniors after last season, but we expect to compete for another title.

“This school attracts and develops great players.”

Indeed, the Raiders have won 35 district titles, 14 regional titles and nine state titles. No Florida boys’ soccer has won more state titles than Gulliver.

In addition, the Raiders have nine former players now competing in college soccer, and Luchi Gonzalez – who won the 2001 Hermann Trophy as the best player in college soccer – is now the head coach of the MLS San Jose Earthquakes.

BROWARD POWER

University School (15-2-3 last season) is seeking its seventh straight district title.

The Sharks, who reached the regional semifinals last season and the Class 3A state final in 2023, are led by junior forward Raul Leyva, who is the reigning Player of the Year with 25 goals and 17 assists.

Senior standouts include Matias Winterman; Matthew Jean Baptiste; Alex Sasser; Tommy Abramzon; and Nicholas Marques.

THIS AND THAT

▪ MAST Academy (9-4-2, GMAC title) graduated its top two scorers. New coach Andres Angel has a strong midfield led by seniors Cristobal Tedin and Santiago Casserly. Senior Joaquin Blanco anchors the defense.

▪ Coral Park (13-2-3, second in district) will be led by seniors Khaled Saavedra (29 goals, nine assists) and David Monsalvo (seven goals, five assists).

▪ Columbus (7-7-4, regional quarterfinals) will be led by junior Sebastian Tamargo and senior Tomas Calonge.

▪ St. Thomas Aquinas (19-6-3, regional semifinals) has been hit hard by graduations/transfers. Its top players are junior forward Ryan Archuleta and senior wing Chase Carroll (10 goals, four assists).

▪ Belen (11-8-5, district champs, regional semifinalists) will be powered on offense by senior forward Eduardo Poleo, who had seven goals last season. Senior goalie Gabriel Mejia leads the defense.

▪ Westminster Academy (2-14) has a new coach, Sebastian Vallejo, who takes over at his alma mater. Top players include senior midfielder Huntley Shelton (five goals) and sophomore Nathan Swart (80 saves).

▪ Florida Christian (7-8) will be led by 12 seniors, including Cris Garcia (11 goals, four assists) and Alexis Bennetot (nine goals, six assists).

▪ Miami Country Day (2-12-1) will be led by junior striker Brad Flick and senior midfielder Ross Watson.

▪ Palmetto (8-7-2) will be led by seniors Dylan Diaz, Leandro Ornelas, Ethan Padilla and Luca Curcio.

▪ Ferguson (5-5-5) will be led by senior goalie Anthony Pasto and senior winger Anthony Tello.

▪ Colonial Christian (5-8-1) will be led by sophomores Jaden Kaiser, a goalkeeper, and Aldo Castro, a defender.

Editor’s note: Every school that returned a form was included in this preview.

This story was originally published November 3, 2024 at 7:00 AM.