MIA Boys Set Sights on First District Crown

Marco Island Academy (MIA) has had some pretty good boys' soccer teams in its short history, but so far, a district championship has been elusive. However, after a home win over Mason Classical Academy, 6-0, on Thursday, January 16, and a road win, 5-3,  over St. John Neumann Friday, Marco coach Fernando Higuera thinks a district title may be in reach. 

“We have won the PCAC (Paradise Coast Athletic Conference) but we have never won the district because the district had really strong teams,” Higuera said after the win over Mason Classical. "This year, we have a shot. I don't know if we can win, but if we play like we did today we definitely have a chance. And that's all I want, a chance to compete with other teams.” 

Higuera said the district lineup was changed during the holiday break - in the middle of the soccer season. MIA is now part of District 1A, Region 3, along with Seacrest, First Baptist Academy (FBA), St. John Neumann, and Village School. MIA is 6-5-2 overall, but more importantly, 4-0-1 in district. 

In Thursday’s win, Higuera’s young team avenged an early season 3-0 loss to Mason. 

“We played against them the fourth game of the season,” Higuera said, "and we did not have a good game. It was probably the worst game of the entire season. Since then, we kind of went through ups and downs. But today was, I think, the best game of the season. We were very solid. We passed well, we did what we were supposed to do, and we would have probably mercy ruled them if the game did not end early. I think today's game was solid in every aspect. We were solid defensively. We were solid attacking. We've had really good games. We beat FBA the first game, and we've had other good games, but not like today. So I think today is the highlight." 

The mercy rule goes into effect when one team takes an 8-goal lead. Thursday’s game ended with over 18 minutes left in the second half when a Rays player sustained an apparent head injury and was taken from the field by paramedics. 

Higuera’s lineup is comprised primarily of freshmen. 

“Eighty percent of our team are freshmen,” Higuera said. "We only have three seniors, one junior, and three sophomores. The rest are all freshmen.” 

Higuera singled out freshman Matt Gallup as a team leader. 

"Matt Gallup,” he said, "I think when he gets a little bit older, he will be the captain. He's amazing. He controls the game. He knows what to do. He knows the game. He understands the game. He knows the pacing of the game, when to press, when to go back. Very vocal. And they respect him. So I think he will be the next captain." 

Against Mason Classical, freshmen Cameron Mast and Weslyn Villatoro each scored twice. Fellow freshmen Raul Antonio-Carrillo and Jude Platt each added goals. In the Neumann game, the regular season finale, the Rays took a 3-2 first half lead, then outscored the Celtics (1-9) 2-1 in the second half to take the win. 

Next up for the Rays is the PCAC tournament on January 21-22. The district tournament is scheduled for January 23, 27, and 30. 

“We have two tournaments coming up,” Higuera said. "I think we can be competitive if we play like we did against Mason Academy. We're probably going to play FBA in our district tournament. I think they're the strongest, along with us."