American Heritage girls’ soccer pursuing more state and national titles

The celebration was modest. A group huddle at midfield, some high-fives, a few back slaps and that was about it.

The Plantation American Heritage girls’ soccer team had just won the Region 4-4A soccer championship, cruising to a 4-1 victory over Pembroke Pines Somerset Academy at Heritage Field. With that, another ticket to the state final four had been punched.

Other teams that clinch trips to state usually break out in wild celebrations and dump water coolers on whoever they can find. But for this program, going to the state final four is a feat that’s expected on an annual basis. This marks the program’s 27th trip to the state final four over a 34-year span since it made its first trip in 1993.

The Patriots, whose only blemish on a 16-0-1 mark is a season opening 2-2 tie against defending 3A state champion Boynton Beach Somerset Canyons, will now head to Spec Martin Stadium in DeLand where they will face No. 4 Orlando Bishop Moore in a 4A state semifinal on Thursday, Feb. 26 at 1 p.m.

The top-seeded Patriots, ranked No. 2 in the nation by MaxPreps, are eyeing a fourth consecutive state title, which would mark the second time they’ve done it (2013-16) and they will be looking for state title No. 15 which would tie them with St. Thomas Aquinas for the most in the state. Aquinas is seeking its 16th championship as it also advanced to state on Tuesday.

Heritage’s unbeaten streak has now reached 29 games having last lost a soccer game on Dec. 3, 2024, a 3-1 decision at home to Cape Coral Mariner. It also marked the 18th consecutive postseason victory dating back to 2022 when they lost a regional semifinal contest over in Naples. The Patriots are also hoping a state championship gives them a shot at a second consecutive national title.

Heritage coach Cindy Marcial watched her girls perform in workmanlike style, beating a team they also beat 4-0 in the district championship a few weeks ago, and by the same score a year ago in the regional final.

“Just good work by our girls of coming out here and taking care of their business today,” said Marcial, who has headed up the program since 2012. “We lost two of our starters including our leading scorer in the last few weeks so we’ve been putting people in different positions, but these girls have proven that they can play anywhere on the field.”

Marcial referred to Fabiana Loayza who was lost with a torn ACL and leading scorer Mia Sommers who left to play for the U.S. National Team.

But, even though they were frustrated early on as Somerset (12-12-1) played a “bunker” style to start the game (keeping extra defenders back to prevent an opponent from getting quality scoring chances), eventually the Patriots broke them down.

Ariana Doles scored off an assist from Allison Aleman just before the first half water break. Eight minutes later, senior co-captain Emma Torres scored off an assist from Juliana Soto to give the Patriots a comfortable 2-0 halftime lead.

Comfortable because the Panthers could muster very little offense against an airtight Heritage defense. There were only 14 minutes left in the game before Somerset had a quality scoring chance and only four minutes left when they scored their lone goal, a penalty kick conversion by Ella Provost-Heron after Ericka Preck was fouled inside the penalty box.

It was a stunning moment for the Patriots as it marked the first goal they had given up since a 4-1 victory over Lourdes back on Dec. 17.

But by then, Heritage had the game under control, leading 3-0 after Mae Collins scored on a long 30-yard shot with 29 minutes left. Just 90 seconds after giving up the Somerset goal, Heritage got it back when Soto knocked one in to complete the scoring.

“What a feeling and opportunity in front of me to possibly win four of them,” Torres said. “What I’m most proud of is that last year’s team was senior-laden so we’re really kind of young this season. I’m one of only three seniors so I feel like I’m really proud of how the younger girls have stepped up.”

This story was originally published February 18, 2026 at 10:11 AM.