Water polo preview: Gulliver girls primed to end prolonged state championship drought
Gulliver’s girls’ water polo team is annually on the cusp of winning a state championship.
But since 2013, it hasn’t happened for the Raiders.
Is this the year they finally kick down the door?
Gulliver, which has finished as state runner-up four times since that season and last year was a state semifinalist, appears primed to take that final step this year.
The Raiders return virtually its entire roster from a year ago and appear to be on par with state powerhouses such as Seminole and Winter Garden West Orange in the quest for the gold.
Senior attacker Kathleen Serig, the Miami Herald’s 2024 Player of the Year, returns after a stellar season in which she scored 111 goals and had 44 assists and 57 steals.
Although not a senior-laden team, Serig will be surrounded by plenty of experience.
Junior attacker Sophia Kingston (71 goals, 33 assists, 59 steals last season) and freshman Emma Preston (31 goals, 28 assists, 25 steals) make up one of the most potent scoring trios in the state.
They are backed up by talented goalie Sofia Beltran, a freshman, who has already played beyond her years with 164 saves last season.
Sophomore center Isabella Ten Have and a trio of seniors in Julia Fogel, Mariana Bernal and Sophia Ciperski back her up on the defensive side.
“These girls are hungry after getting knocked out early last year,” longtime Gulliver coach Carroll Vaughan said. “They are focused and working hard.”
Locally, Ransom Everglades and MAST Academy are considered two of the top foes in Gulliver’s path to a title. Ransom returns the bulk of its roster as well led by senior Sydney Gould and senior goalie Casey Manno. MAST is led by freshman phenom Leonna Castro, who has been invited to try out for the U.S. Junior national team. Juniors Matilda Urcuyo, Isabella Miguel and senior Marian Pierin will try to lead the Makos to three GMAC titles in a row and perhaps more.
On the boys’ side, Gulliver returns as the reigning state champions, but has big shoes to fill after losing four key starters including Miami Herald Player of the Year Gabriel Lewis.
Juniors Sebastian Piedra and Juan Sebastian Ibarra are at the forefront of the Raiders’ repeat hopes, along with seniors Patrick Gardner and Alberto Escobedo.
Piedra is a versatile lefty who can attack and defend with the best in the state. Ibarra is a member of the U-17 Swedish national team. Mater Lakes, Belen Jesuit and St. Thomas Aquinas all figure to be in the hunt for a state title as well.
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▪ The Westminster Academy boys, who went 18-7 last season, could be one of the top state title contenders from South Florida.
The Lions got a big boost when senior and reigning Broward County Player of the Year Matthew Troche transferred in from Cooper City.
Troche, was on the U.S. national team camp and ranked among the top 50 players in the nation, finished with 78 goals and 64 assists last year. He joins an already deep lineup, which includes junior utility player Christopher Bennett, junior Dane Fox and junior goalie David Maxson.
▪ After taking a step back last season and losing in the regional semifinals, perennial state title contender Belen Jesuit (19-6) hopes to be back playing in its home pool at the state tournament.
Senior utility Juan Franco (69 goals last season) will lead those efforts along with sophomores Lucas Levy, Xavier Caceres, Emil Alireza and Aiden Mendieta.
▪ Cooper City (11-10) is led by senior Tony Vlasic, who scored 89 goals last season and steps into more of a key role after Troche’s departure. He and senior Ethan McPeek will try to lead the Cowboys back to the postseason.
▪ Mater Lakes enters the season with high expectations led by junior Noslen de la Puente.
▪ St. Thomas Aquinas remains among the state’s best led by Sam Eastaugh, Holden Harkins and Lev Konnikov.
▪ Led by senior goalie Tristan Tazi-Sidqui, sophomore Johan Miguel and freshman Eduardo Fogel, MAST Academy (14-4) will try to remain among the top boys teams in the state.
▪ Columbus (19-9) is led by senior center Daniel Morgado, who was the team’s top scorer and defender last season. Seniors Fabrizio Ojeda and Nicholas Heyna also figure to play key roles.
▪ Ransom Everglades returns several players including top scorer Jack Merrick, a junior who scored 136 goals last season.
▪ Miami Country Day (11-12) hopes it will see improvement after not losing any seniors. Junior utility Evan Miller and sophomore goalie Rafael Blaya lead the Spartans.
▪ Pembroke Pines Charter will be led by sophomore driver Connor Geskus and senior goalie Tiago Vitale.
▪ Braddock (0-4) is looking to build its program led by Robert Alvarez, Nathan Angel and other standouts from its state championship swimming team.
MORE GIRLS OUTLOOKS
▪ Westminster Academy (18-5 last season) remains one of the top girls teams in the state led by senior Lynn Rose Ruiz. The Lions have one of their largest rosters ever with 19 players after an influx of underclassmen talent. Sophomore Marley Scott remains one of the top defenders in the county, but can show her versatility on the offensive end as well. Sophomore goalie Megan Ruiz figures to be key for Westminster as well.
▪ Cooper City (14-8) will be led once again by sophomore Skylar Flowers, who scored 92 goals last season. Senior goalie Ellie Raisman is entering her fourth season as a starter.
▪ St. Thomas Aquinas remains among the county’s best, led by junior Riley Andres.
▪ Pembroke Pines Charter (7-10) will once again be led by junior driver Giada Porven as well as seniors Emily Arcia and Sarah Iturralde.
▪ Braddock (0-4) is looking to build its program led by Lauren Avila and Andrea Barcena.
This story was originally published February 3, 2025 at 4:00 PM.
