Varela, Belen boys’ soccer teams advance to regional finals
“House money.”
That’s what Varela boys soccer coach Juan Monge calls it these days when it comes to his team.
The Vipers, who two weeks ago were down to their last five minutes of the season, trailing Ferguson by two goals in a district semifinal before rallying to win in overtime, kept their magical ride going on Tuesday night.
That after senior Alex Coira, knocked in a loose ball in front of the net with one minute left in the first overtime to give the Vipers a 1-0 victory over Coral Gables in a Region 4-5A semifinal at Harris Field in Homestead.
And with the win, Varela (13-3-3) advances to Friday’s regional final where the Vipers will host Cypress Bay at Harris Field at 7 p.m.
“This is the way we’ve been doing it all season. It’s almost like we’re playing on house money right now,” said Monge. “We were down to our last five minutes against Ferguson a few weeks ago and here we are still playing. It was a tough, hard physical game and it feels great to be moving on. Now we want to keep it going.”
After 80 minutes of scoreless soccer that saw the game get extremely chippy with a dozen yellow cards (six apiece) and even prompted officials to stop the game at one point in the second half to talk to both coaches and athletic directors, Varela was awarded a throw-in from the corner flag two minutes before the end of the first overtime. Eric Viaud made a strong toss that landed in front of the net and when Gables keeper Daniel Rodriguez couldn’t find the handle, Coira got to it before Gables defenders and rifled it home for the game-winner.
“It was a great throw-in and we always practice one flick and running back post in case the defender messes up and that’s what happened,” said Coira. “This was a tough, physical game but it feels great that we found a way to come out on top.”
Gables (17-3-3) thought it had taken the lead in the game’s 27th minute on a Daniel Velez goal but a late offsides whistle as the ball went in the goal nullified the score.
▪ Region 4-4A semifinal — Belen 2, American 1:Belen Jesuit’s boys’ soccer team showed its resilience once again Tuesday afternoon outlasting American for a 2-1 home victory in a Region 4-4A semifinal at de la Cruz Stadium.
Francisco de la Camara continued to produce for the Wolverines (19-3) as he scored another goal, and along with Mateus Tordin’s goal lifted Belen to the regional finals for only the third time in school history.
Belen will try to clinch its first trip to the state final four since 2011 and second berth ever when it either travels to Port St. Lucie or hosts Palm Beach Lakes Friday in the regional finals.
American (18-3-1), a district champion and GMAC tournament runner-up this season, made its fifth regional semifinals appearance in the past six seasons.
ANDRE FERNANDEZ
BOYS’ BASKETBALL
▪ District 16-3A semifinal — Archbishop Carroll 70, Westwood Christian 53: AC (22-5): Fred 24, Rosario 17, Diaz 10, Miralles 7, Cordero 6, Anglada 2, Villamil 2, Garcia 2. WC: Joseph 15, Molina 12, Pierre 10, Mejia 5, Ametepe 4, Jou 3, Osceola 2. Half: 24-24. Rebounds: Rosario 7. Assists: Rosario 6. Steals: Rosario 4. Three-pointers: Fred 2, Diaz 2, Rosario 1, Miralles 1, Molina 2.
▪ District 16-3A semifinal — Westminster Christian 58, Palmer Trinity 36: PT: G. Deribeaux 10, J. S. Diaz 2, R. Pastor 1, E. Becker 10, M. Montalvo 3, M. Roberts 6, M. Dye 4. WC (22-4): J. Raine 10, T. Halfaker 9, K. Paicely 9 , J. Velazquez 11, J. Brown 13, S, Zakka 3, J. Avery 6, T. Brigham 1. Half: 29-14 WCS. Three-pointers: G. Deribeaux 3, E. Becker 1, M. Montalvo 1, M. Dye 1, J. Velazquez 3, S. Sakka 1. Rebounds: J. Raine 9. Assists: Paicely 5. Steals: Velazquez 3.
▪ District 16-8A quarterfinals — Coral Reef 58, Palmetto 39: CR: Fyne 6, Stevens 7, Arabitg 9, Campbell 6, Iser 2, Bryan 11, Holcolmbe 14, Boria 3. PAL: Hardaway 8, Puncharea 10, Gomez 2, Molinares 4, Duran 6, Guerrero 5, Arvanitopoulos 2. Rebounds: Holcombe 11. Assists: Stevens 6. Steals: Bryan 7
▪ District 16-4A quarterfinal — Florida Christian 54, Keys Gate 33: FC: Rivero 3, Campbell 7, Bernard 6, Dahlan 12, Rocha 3, Sosa 3, Perez 20. KG: Sanchez 5, Stenger 5, Brown 1, Phillips 3, Palacio 11, Ortiz 1, Mumford 5, Abreu 2. Three-pointers: Rivero, Sosa, Perez 4, Palacio 3, Mumford 1. Rebounds: Dahlan 7. Assists: Perez 4. Half: FC 25-11.
▪ District 16-4A quarterfinals — Ransom Everglades 79, Key West 58: RE: Rivlin 34, Woolworth 18, Black 9, Cobb 8, Deutch 6, Spiegelman 4. KW: Hughes 3, Renner 13, K. Smith 12, Greager 5, Hayes 10, Stern 4, Jefferson 11. Rebounds: Rivlin 15, Woolworth 10, Cobb 9. Assists: Rivlin 12. Steals: Rivlin 3, Woolworth 3.
▪ District 15-2A quarterfinals — Brito 67, Riviera Prep 44: BM (11-7): Huerta 24, Wongden 11, Perez 3, Clarcro 2, Alphonse 9, Bori 2, Dol 8, Nieto 8. RP: Shapiro 5, Perez 8, Manny 2, Ignasio 10, Stoutsky 3, Noah 2, Brandon 10, Portes 4. Half: 32-19 BM.
▪ District 15-2A quarterfinals — Hebrew Academy 67, Divine Savior 26: HA (15-6): Masin 8, M. Bixon 4, Hochner 15, Wachtel 6, Diveroli 13, P. Bixon 6, Yerushalmi 11, Portnoy 2, Schiff 2. Rebounds: Hochner 20. Assists: Portnoy 6. DS: Llenart 4, Ledezma 3, Rebellion 10, Jikal 4, Diermanjan 4. Half: 40-14 HA.
▪ District 15-4A quarterfinals — La Salle 73, Mast Academy 36: LS: B. Richards 6, O. Gaeton 14, J. Sapp 3, J. Cruz 16, I. Cruz 12, A. Britos 2, J. Pita 5, R. Escandar 8, J. Fortuny 8. MA: Oria 5, Hiller 14, Bellucci 2, Iglesias 1, Torress 2, Roberts 9, Dulami 3. Three-pointers: B. Richards 2, O. Gaeton 3. Steals: J. Fortuny 5. Rebounds: J. Cruz 10, I. Cruz 8. Assists: I. Cruz 7. Half: 37-16 LS.
▪ District 14-4A quarterfinals — Pinecrest 55, Calvary Christian 37: CC: Chisholm 5, Adams 17, Morrow 2, Ciudad-Real 6, Eze 2, Addeley 5. Rebounds: Ciudad-Real 6. Steals: Adam 4.
▪ District 15-3A quarterfinals — Hillel 60, SLAM Academy 57: Rebounds: Klainbaum 12. Assists: Klainbaum 5. Steals:Moskovitz 4.
▪ District 15-3A quarterfinals — Miami Country Day 74, Somerset Central 30: SC: Fils-Aime 4, Francois 13, Beaubeau 6, Darboise 1, Law 4, Leuhandt 2. MCD: Cambo 15, Choi 1, Escalante 8, Figueroa 5, Gomez 3, Kappos 6, Lynott 11, Serralles 7, Stier 2, Wendrow 10, Wesley 6. Half: MCD 41-19. Three-pointers: Francois 1, Escalante 1, Lynott 1, Serralles 1, Wendrow 2. Rebounds: Kappos 7. Assists: Lynott 9. Steals: Wesley 4.
WRESTLING
Coral Reef 46, Homestead 24. Coral Reef 45, Norland 24.
BASEBALL
▪ American 7, Highland Christian 3:
AME 0 0 3 0 2 2 0 — 7
HC 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 — 3
WP: Danger Guevarra 10 K’s. Top Performers: Romy Gonzalez 3-1, HR, RBI. Robbie Menendez 3-2, 2 RBI. AME 1-0.
▪ Westland Hialeah 10, Miami Beach 0: WP: Giovani Arriera 6 IP, 13 K’s, 1 hit. Top Performers: Bryan Lavastiba 4-4, 3 RBI, 3 runs, 3 SB. Ronel Rodriguez 2-3, 3 runs, 3 SB. WH 1-0.
▪ Southridge 2, Ferguson 1: WP: Ryan Margolis. SV: Victor Feliz. LP: Blanco. Top Performers: Diandre Amion 3-3, triple. Garrett Houtz 2-2, double. Margolis 6.1, 4-1, 6 K’s.
▪ Southwest 3, Miami Springs 1: WP: Jose Valero 3 IP. SV: David Huerta. Top Performer: Danny Cruz 2 hits, run, RBI, SB.
SOFTBALL
▪ Calvary Christian 15, Somerset Charter 0:
CC 2 3 4 6 — 15 15 0
SC 0 0 0 0 — 0 4 3
WP: Cameron Chang 6 K’s. LP: B. Farinas. Top Performers: Alyssa Nance HR. CC (1-0).
▪ TERRA 17, Northwestern 0:
NW 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 0 7
TR 9 8 0 0 0 0 0 — 17 5 1
WP: Tayler Sanchez (1-0) 6 K’s , 1-1, 2 BB, 2 runs. Top Performers: Michelle Arellano 1-1, 2 BB, 3 SB. Oceana Camejo 1-1, 2 BB, 2 runs, 3 SB. Victoria Conway 1-1, BB, 2 runs.
▪ Keys Gate 16, Palmer Trinity 1:
KG 3 6 7 0 0 0 0 — 16 11 2
PT 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 1 1 7
WP: Madison Wells (1-0) single, double, SB, 3 K’s. LP: Lauren Keller. Top Performers: Natalie DeLaEspriella 3-3, 2 doubles, single, SB. Lauren Richardson single, double, SB.
▪ Palmetto 15, Sunset 0:
PAL 8 5 2 — 11 15 1
SUN 0 0 0 — 0 1 2
WP: Amanda Guglietta (1-0). LP: J. Belton. Top Performers: Jailah Williams 2-3, double, 3 runs, SB. Erin Love 1-1, double, 2 runs. Brittany Philips 2-2, SB, 2 runs. PAL 1-0.
▪ Pines Charter 6, Pompano 0:
POM 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 — 0 2 4
PC 0 2 1 2 1 0 X — 6 11 1
WP: Blount (1-0), 2-4, 8K. LP: Abramson. Top Performers: Devesa 3-4, 2B, 2 RBI, run. PC 1-0
▪ Calvary Christian 15, Somerset Academy 0: WP: Camryn Chang 6 K’s. Top Performers: Jalynn Jurich single. Mia Veliz RBI, single. Alyssa Nance HR.
▪ Hialeah-Miami Lakes 20, Homestead 4: WP: Julie Krueger 4 K’s, 4 runs. Carina Zatarain 2-3, run, 2 RBI. Jessy Marquez 4 runs. HML 1-0.
▪ Miami Springs 10, Ronald Reagan 0: WP: Emily Santos 5 IP, 9K’s. Top Performers: Emily Santos 3-4, 2 hits, double, 2 RBI. Yoselyn Escoto 2-2 , 2 runs, double. Kristen Medina 2-3, double, RBI. Bryana Gomez 1-3, RBI.
▪ Hialeah Gardens 10, Varela 0: WP: Kristina Viega.
BOYS’ TENNIS
▪ Palmetto 4, Reagan 3: Mauricio Villacres (RR) d. Mark Helliger (PAL) 8-8, 10-8. Aleksa Andrejevic (PAL) d. Diego Matlluna (RR) 8-4. Boris Perez (RR) d. Garrett Huber (PAL) 8-3. Ricardo Requena (RR) d. Max Woodbury (PAL) 8-5. Luis Hines (PAL) d. Juan Amaya (RR) 9-7. Doubles: Hellinger/Andrejevic(PAL) d. Mateluna/ Perez (RR) 8-2. Guttentag/Huber (PAL) d. Requena/Amaya 9-7. PAL 1-0.
▪ Miami Beach 5, MAST Academy 2: Singles: Omar Zarif 8-0. Omar Azzaoui 8-2. Jonathan Hirschenson 8-6. Doubles: Zarif/Bertak 8-2. MB 1-0.
▪ Coral Gables 6, Killian 1: Cristian Gazzolo 8-3. Daniel Krulig 8-0. Chris Tormo 8-0. Sebastian Virreira 8-0. Ari Alcalay 8-0. CG 1-0.
▪ Pinecrest 7, Coral Springs Charter 0: C. Kotlte (PC) d. J. Crance (CS) 8-2. P. Hoghooghi (PC) d. A. Castellanos (CS) 8-0. J. Mishel (PC) d. S. Bloshinsky (CS) 8-0. T. Shelvin (PC) d. J. See 8-4. J. Gorji (PC) d. J. Castro (CS) 8-4. Doubles: Mishel/Hoghooghi (PC) d. Crance/Castellanos 8-4. Berman/Riley (PC) d. Castellanos/See (CS) 8-5.
▪ Coral Reef 7, South Miami 0: Johann Rapp 8-0. Lucas Nickolich 8-1. Simon Galvis 8-0.
▪ Miami Springs 7, Central 0: Brent Cates 8-0.
▪ Late Monday — Pace 4, Key West 3.
GIRLS’ TENNIS
▪ Palmetto 7, Reagan 0: Emma Petersen (PAL) d. Jennifer Arias (RR) 8-2. Ansofi Wreder (PAL) d. Anabella Neri (RR) 8-0. Stephanie Levine (PAL) d. Natalia Roman (RR) 8-1. Roxanna Montoya (PAL) d. Nicole Uzcategui (RR) 8-0. Samantha Alicea (PAL) d. Fabiola Medina (RR) 8-1. Doubles: Wreder/ Montoya (PAL) 8-0. Alicea /Schuitema (PAL) 8-6. PAL 1-0.
▪ Pinecrest 5, Coral Springs Charter 2: Singles: K. Stevanovich (PC) d. E. Silva (CS) 8-3. J. Kislin (PC) d. M. Barbanes (CS) 8-6. A. Tartell (PC) d. N. Edwards (CS) 8-0. L. James (PC) d. J. Bloshinsky (CS) 8-0. K. Humphrey (CS) d. S. Hersh (PC) 8-7 (7-5). Doubles: James/James (PC) d. Silva/Barbanes (8-3). Edwards/Humphrey (CS) (8-0).
▪ Coral Gables 7, Killian 0: Kristina Fernandez 8-1. Sofia Quevedo 8-1. Paulina Bejar 8-0. Rafa Game 8-0. Alexa Alcalay 8-0. CG 1-0.
▪ Coral Reef 6, South Miami 1: Alexandria Hitt 8-4. Laura Navia 8-1. Cathy Xin 8-1.
▪ Miami Springs 7, Central 0: Natessa Perera 8-0.
WEDNESDAY’S SCHEDULE
BOYS’ BASKETBALL
District 11-8A semifinals at Douglas: Coral Springs vs. Deerfield Beach, 5; Taravella-Coral Glades winner vs. Douglas, 7
District 13-8A final at Everglades: 7
District 14-8A semifinals at North Miami: Krop vs. Miami Beach, 6; Hialeah Gardens vs. Miami High, 7:30
District 15-8A semifinals at South Miami: Columbus vs. Coral Gables, 5; South Miami vs. Coral Park-Braddock winner, 7
District 16-8A semifinals at Palmetto: Killian-Varela winner vs. Sunset, 5; Coral Reef-Palmetto winner vs. Southridge, 7
District 16-7A final at Hialeah-Miami Lakes: 7
District 14-6A semifinal: Stranahan at Boynton Beach, 7
District 15-6A semifinals at Carol City: Miami Springs vs. Carol City, 6; Norland vs. Mourning, 7:30
District 16-6A semifinals at Belen: Doral vs. Homestead, 6; Belen vs. Mater Academy, 7:30
District 15-4A semifinals at Edison: La Salle-MAST winner vs. Monsignor Pace, 6; Mater Lakes-Edison winner vs. Booker T., 7:30
District 14-3A semifinals at Oxbridge Academy: Highlands Christian-Oxbridge Academy winner vs. Westminster Academy, 5; Lake Worth Christian-Village Academy winner vs. Coral Springs Christian, 7
District 15-3A semifinals at Sagemont: 5 and 7
District 15-2A semifinals at Hebrew Academy: Calusa Prep vs. Divine Savior-Hebrew Academy winner, 6; Miami Christian vs. Brito-Riviera Prep winner, 7:30
GIRLS’ SOCCER
Class 1A state semifinal at Eastern State College in Melbourne: Miami Country Day vs. Lakeland Christian, 12:30
BOYS’ TENNIS
Hialeah vs. Ronald Reagan (Ronald Reagan), 2
Hialeah Gardens vs. North Miami (North Miami), 3
Carol City vs. Mourning (Mourning), 3
Southridge vs. Coral Reef, 3
Sagemont vs. Gulliver Prep, 3
North Miami Beach vs. Goleman (Goleman), 3
Hialeah-Miami Lakes vs. Miami Springs (Miami Springs), 3:30
SOFTBALL
Krop vs. Mourning (Mourning), 3
Southwest vs. TERRA (TERRA), 3:30
Hialeah vs. Ronald Reagan (RR), 3:30
Hialeah-Miami Lakes vs. Miami Beach (Flamingo), 3:30
Miami Springs vs. Miami Central (Central), 3:30
Palmer Trinity vs. Archbishop Carroll (Carroll), 4
Booker T. Washington vs. Monsignor Pace (Pace), 4
Varela vs. Sunset (Sunset), 12:30
GIRLS’ TENNIS
Hialeah vs. Ronald Reagan (Ronald Reagan), 2
Hialeah-Miami Lakes vs. Miami Springs (Miami Springs), 2
North Miami Beach vs. Goleman (Goleman), 3
Sagemont vs. Gulliver Prep, 3
Carol City vs. Mourning (Mourning), 3
Hialeah Gardens vs. North Miami (North Miami), 3
Southridge vs. Coral Reef, 3:30
GIRLS’ STATE SOCCER FINALS
ONLINE: Check out our girls’ soccer state tournament preview by visiting our High School Sports page at www.miamiherald.com/sports.
When: Wednesday through Saturday.
Where: Eastern Florida State College, 3865 N. Wickham Rd., Melbourne.
Admission: $9 per session; Parking: $5.
Defending state champions – Class 5A: St. Thomas Aquinas; 4A: Melbourne; 3A: Plantation American Heritage; 2A: Delray American Heritage; 1A: Orange Park St. Johns Country Day.
Wednesday’s schedule – Class 1A semifinals: Orange Park St. Johns Country Day vs. Community School of Naples, 10 a.m.; Miami Country Day vs. Lakeland Christian, 12:30; Class 2A semifinals: Jacksonville Bolles vs. Orlando Bishop Moore, 3; Tampa Berkeley Prep vs. Delray American Heritage, 5:30.
Thursday’s schedule – Class 3A semifinals: Ponte Vedra vs. Land O’Lakes, 10 a.m.; Plantation American Heritage vs. Merritt Island, 12:30; Class 1A final: 3; Class 2A final: 6.
Friday’s schedule – Class 4A semifinals: Navarre vs. Viera, 10 a.m.; Pembroke Pines Charter vs. Venice, 12:30; Class 5A semifinals: Oviedo vs. Palm Harbor University, 3; St. Thomas Aquinas vs. Wellington, 5:30; Class 3A final: 8.
Saturday’s schedule – Class 4A final: 12:05; Class 5A final: 3:05.
This story was originally published February 3, 2015 at 11:55 PM with the headline "Varela, Belen boys’ soccer teams advance to regional finals."