- April 28, 2024
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Photo by TK_PHOTOGRAPHY
The FHSAA soccer state championship tournaments are officially underway, and the West Orange and Southwest Orange communities had 10 total boys and girls teams across four of the state’s six classifications make the playoffs.
With the Class 2A and 3A tournaments having already kicked off Tuesday, Feb. 6, after press time and the 5A, 6A and 7A classes getting started Feb. 13, there’s a lot of high-level soccer being played in the community.
To get the area’s soccer fans ready for the postseason, here’s a quick overview of each playoff team’s season so far and what the playoffs will look like for them.
Editor’s Note: Statistics, records and scheduling information were compiled from online resources, social-media outlets or sent in by coaches.
Led by attackers Jacob Munoz and Alexis Barrajas — who combined to score 27 goals and assist 11 more — and a stellar defensive structure, the Knights were one of the most balanced teams in the area, scoring 48 goals and only allowing half that amount over their 21 games.
Ocoee beat a few quality opponents — including a 1-0 victory against Spruce Creek (13-8-2), a 3-2 win over Boone (11-5-1) and a pair of wins versus West Port (15-3) — on its way to winning the West Metro Conference championship over Horizon (11-3-4).
Postseason Outlook
District Tournament Result: Lost in finals to West Orange, 1-1 (4-2 PKs).
FHSAA State Championship Playoffs Seed: No. 4
Regional Quarterfinals Matchup: Hosts No. 5 Lake Mary (13-6-2) at 7 p.m. Feb. 13
After graduating its top scorer — Gabriel Skurski, who scored 22 goals — from the 2022-23 team that finished with a 14-2-1 record and won districts, the Warriors again finished atop its district.
Led by top playmaker — senior midfielder Finlay Prain and his 13 goals — West Orange managed to beat various top teams this season, including a 2-1 win at Ocoee, a 1-0 victory at Horizon and topping Lake Brantley (11-5-1) in the district semis, 2-0.
Postseason Outlook
District Tournament Result: Won the district championship. Beat Ocoee in the finals, 1-1 (4-2 PKs).
FHSAA State Championship Playoffs Seed: No. 3
Regional Quarterfinals Matchup: Hosts No. 6 West Port (15-3) at 7 p.m. Feb. 13
Under first-year head coach, Raymond Bornacelli, the Titans bounced back from a 3-10-4 record in 2022-23 and finished this season as the district runners-up.
Led by its top scorer Guilherme Valente, who has bagged 13 goals, and top playmaker Ali Wahab, who dished out 11 assists, Olympia beat quality opposition this season, including a 2-0 win over Tohopekaliga (12-6), two wins over Ocoee and a 3-2 victory over Windermere (13-1-1) for a spot in the district final.
Postseason Outlook
District Tournament Result: Lost in finals to Lake Nona, 6-1.
FHSAA State Championship Playoffs Seed: No. 7
Regional Quarterfinals Matchup: At No. 2 Windermere (13-1-1) at 7 p.m. Feb. 13
Former Olympia coach Lou Romao’s first season in charge saw the Wolverines finish the regular season undefeated — and with a goal differential of +58.
Senior winger Jose Moyetones led the Windermere attack with 19 goals and 19 assists on the Wolverines’ way to beating top teams such as West Orange twice, plus Lake Brantley and Olympia on the road.
Postseason Outlook
District Tournament Result: Lost in semifinals to Olympia, 3-2.
FHSAA State Championship Playoffs Seed: No. 2
Regional Quarterfinals Matchup: Hosts No. 7 Olympia (11-7-1) at 7 p.m. Feb. 13
After graduating 17 seniors from its 2022-23 team that finished with a 14-4-4 record and won the district in its second year, Horizon came back strong again and claimed its second-consecutive district title.
Led by attackers Karson Vazquez and Ricardo Davila, the Hawks advanced to the West Metro Conference championship game after getting past Windermere in penalty kicks. Horizon also beat Gateway (13-4-1) in the district title game.
Postseason Outlook
District Tournament Result: Won the district championship. Beat Gateway in the finals, 3-2.
FHSAA State Championship Playoffs Seed: No. 2
Regional Quarterfinals Matchup: Hosts Wesley Chapel (11-7-2) at 7 p.m. Feb. 13
Despite being just two games over .500, the Vipers showed the capability of playing with some of the area’s best teams — see their wins over West Orange and at Olympia.
LBV’s roster is led by junior attackers Rayan Daoudi and Camilo Gaitan, who have combined to score 17 goals this season.
Postseason Outlook
District Tournament Result: Lost in semifinals to Gateway, 4-1.
FHSAA State Championship Playoffs Seed: No. 8
Regional Quarterfinals Matchup: At No. 1 Jesuit (17-1-4) at 7 p.m. Feb. 13
With only three seniors on its roster, the Lakers’ present and future look bright on the pitch. Led by junior attacker Angelo Arrivillaga and sophomore Nicolas Parra, who combined to score 24 goals and dish out 14 assists, Windermere Prep was able to finish as district runner-up. On the way to the regional quarterfinals, the Lakers topped The First Academy (10-5-2) on the road, 2-1, won at Orangewood Christian (12-3-1), 3-1 and beat Four Corners (12-3-1), 2-1.
Postseason Outlook
District Tournament Result: Lost in finals to Lake Highland Prep, 2-0.
FHSAA State Championship Playoffs Seed: No. 4
Regional Quarterfinals Result: Lost to No. 5 Berkeley Prep (7-6-4), 3-0 on Feb. 6.
The Lions were road warriors this season, only losing once — 4-1 to Orangewood Christian — and winning five away from their home pitch. Led by junior attacker Will Prunty, who scored nine goals and assisted two, Foundation finished as district runner-ups.
Postseason Outlook
District Tournament Result: Lost in finals to Orangewood Christian, 3-1.
FHSAA State Championship Playoffs Seed: No. 3
Regional Quarterfinals Result: Beat No. 6 Foundation Christian Academy (9-4), 4-0 on Feb. 6.
Regional Semifinals Matchup: At No. 2 Orangewood Chrisitan (13-3-1) on Feb. 9.
With a stifling defense that only allowed a total of 16 goals in their 16 games and racked up six clean sheets, the Lady Hawks finished district play as runners-up to a great Auburndale (12-2-3) team.
The Hawks are led by senior Aida Bell, junior Grace Nichols and sophomore Claudia Rodriguez Medina — who combined for 32 goal contributions.
Postseason Outlook
District Tournament Result: Lost in finals to Auburndale, 3-1.
FHSAA State Championship Playoffs Seed: No. 4
Regional Quarterfinals Matchup: Hosts Lake Wales (12-4-1) at 5 p.m. Feb. 13
With Apopka High transfer forward Alyssa Parsons, a United States Women’s Youth National Team selection, leading the attacking line and senior Camila Barni slotting in passes for the streaking forward, the Lakers’ duo has been deadly this season, combining for 61 goal-contributions.
Despite playing a rigorous schedule, Windermere Prep has managed to have a +20 goal differential over its 15-game schedule, thanks to its proven ability to score goals in bunches — scoring three or more goals in seven games.
Postseason Outlook
District Tournament Result: Lost in semifinals to Lake Highland Prep, 6-0.
FHSAA State Championship Playoffs Seed: No. 6
Regional Quarterfinals Result: Lost to No. 3 Berkeley Prep (15-4), 7-3 on Feb. 6.
Sam Albuquerque is the Sports Editor for the Orange Observer. Please contact him with story ideas, results and statistics.
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @SamBAlbuquerque
Instagram: @OrangeObserverSam
