Downtown Doral boys’ soccer moves closer to goal of winning first state title
In just five seasons of varsity competition, Downtown Doral has established itself as one of the state’s top boys’ soccer programs.
The Dolphins, however, have yet to experience what it’s like to be a state champion.
Downtown Doral got close in its third season before finishing state runners-up in Class 3A in 2024.
Senior Eduardo Jerez, the Dolphins’ leading scorer, remembers that empty feeling.
“That state final left us wanting more, but we have faith this season will be the one where we make it happen,” Jerez said.
Jerez and his teammates are playing like a team on a mission to clear that final hurdle.
They showed it again on Tuesday night by routing another quality opponent when they cruised to a 4-0 win over Miami MAST Academy in a Region 4-3A quarterfinal at Tropical Park.
Downtown Doral (16-1-3), the top seed in Class 3A and fourth overall in the state, will next host SLAM Academy on Friday with a chance to return to the state final four at stake.
Senior Victor Villalobos led the Dolphins with two first-half goals while senior Santiago Ramos and junior Aaron Gonzalez each scored in the second half to put the game out of reach after the Makos (10-4-4) put some pressure on Downtown Doral’s goal just before halftime.
Senior Hector Marquez recorded the shutout, and Jesus Escalona also had an assist.
Jerez, who assisted on Ramos’ goal early in the second half, has scored a team-high 11 of the Dolphins’ 73 goals this season. Three other players have scored at least eight goals and six players overall have at least five goals this season as Downtown Doral has shown its depth up front.
“I’ve been here all four years with this school and I feel like this is our best squad,” Jerez said. “We have a connection that you can tell on the field. It translates well in the way we play. We’re a close team and that’s helped us a lot. We sacrifice a lot for each other and we have a lot of confidence in each other.
Villalobos, who joined the team this season, isn’t even among that group of top scorers, having scored only one goal this season before his brace on Tuesday night.
“We have a lot of confidence in Victor and that’s why we get him the ball,” Jerez said. “We have a lot of players who can make plays like that on this team and he’s definitely one of them.”
Villalobos’ first came off a perfect cross in the 12th minute from junior Luca Cianci. On the second, just four minutes later, Villalobos followed up after a great shot by Cianci forced MAST keeper Santiago Varela to make a diving save.
“This team is a good group. I’ve only been here one season, but as soon as I joined the team, I was so impressed with how good these guys are and how well they get along,” Villalobos said. “We need one more (to get to state) so we move on and stay humble with our feet on the ground and move forward.”
To do that, Downtown Doral must win a rematch against SLAM, which topped Gulliver Prep in their semifinal on Tuesday. The Dolphins beat the Titans, 2-1, in a heated district championship on Jan. 27. In that game, Downtown Doral coach Jonathan Rosas received a red card and is currently serving a four-game suspension, which would keep him out of Friday’s regional final and a potential state semifinal should his team advance that far. The Dolphins have appealed the suspension, hoping to get the amount of games reduced.
MORE RESULTS
Region 4-3A semifinal - SLAM 3, Gulliver 1: The Titans (21-4-1) scored three consecutive goals, including two in the second half to erase an early 1-0 deficit and avenge last year’s loss to the Raiders (11-5-6) in this round. Gulliver’s loss snaps a streak of three consecutive seasons advancing to the state final four.
Region 4-2A semifinal - Westminster Christian 1, Scheck Hillel 0: The Warriors (15-4-2) will host Palmer Trinity on Friday at 3:30 in the regional finals.
Region 4-2A semifinal - Palmer Trinity 2, Divine Savior 1: The Falcons (15-4-2) rallied with a pair of second half goals to knock off the top-seeded Sharks (13-3-2).
Region 4-1A semifinal - Pompano Beach Highlands Christian 3, West Palm Beach Berean Christian 2: The Knights (14-11) rallied with three second-half goals by junior Hopeny Louis to move within one win of a return trip to the state final four. Corbin Shein, Daniel Lenois and Rony Exavier Jr. each had one assist. Highlands will travel to Miami on Friday to play BridgePrep Village Green in the regional final at 4.
Region 4-1A semifinal - BridgePrep Village Green 3, Pinecrest Prep 0: The Bulldogs (12-1-1) advanced to their first ever regional final.
