- March 28, 2024
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Orangewood Christian School (21-1-3) won the state soccer championship on Feb. 12, beating Santa Fe Catholic (21-4-3) by a score of 6-1 at Eastern Florida State College. The win gave the Rams the first State Championship since moving to the winter season. The Rams have won three state titles when playing fall soccer ('93, '99, and '00).
Senior captains Jonathan Bregel, Mark Gagnon and Sam Glodo led the team through the final win. Sophomore Chase Gwynn was the Player of the Game by Brighthouse Sports, scoring three goals and adding one assist. Bregel added 2 scores, Renzo Montaiuti added a goal and sophomore A.J. Moulton had 2 assists.
Orangewood played the final seven minutes of the first half and the entire second half without defender Daniel Potter, who sustained a double break in his right leg. Santa Fe Catholic’s Sam Studiale received a red card on the play and the Hawks played the remainder of the match one player short. That incident was emotionally difficult for the tight knit group of Orangewood players, but the boys were able to use that emotion to fuel the fire. They scored three more goals in the second half of play.
At the postgame awards ceremony, the Rams celebrated with a huge poster of Potter as they accepted their State Championship medallions. The team visited Potter in the hospital after the game.
"I am just happy for these amazing players," Orangewood Christian coach Jeff Johnson said. "This is going to mean a lot to them and to the school."