- April 19, 2024
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Junior goalkeeper Ben Kopach celebrates a clean sheet. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Matanzas seniors Michale Olson, Joseph "Fuji" Powell, Andrew Alvarez, Nick Ferrer, Aiden Sauco and Quincy Cuthbert. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Matanzas freshman Sebastian DeLeon, right. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Matanzas senior Andrew Alvarez and his family. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Matanzas senior Joseph "Fuji" Powell and his family. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Matanzas senior Michael Olson and his family Photo by Brent Woronoff
Matanzas senior Nick Ferrer (5) and his family. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Matanzas senior Quincy Cuthbert and his family. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Matanzas senior Aiden Sauco (18) with junior Phaedon Clement. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Aiden Sauco. Photo by Brent Woronoff
Since it was senior night for the Matanzas boys soccer team, it was only fitting that seniors scored all three goals for the Pirates in a 3-0 victory Dec. 17 against visiting Jacksonville Wolfson.
Nick Ferrer, Joseph "Fuji" Powell and Andrew Alvarez each scored for the Pirates, who improved to 6-2-1. Junior goalkeeper Ben Kopach recorded his third clean sheet of the season.
Ferrer, playing in just his second game of the season, scored his third goal with just over two minutes left in first half to break a scoreless tie. The goalkeeper came out and Ferrer slotted it into the bottom right of the net.
"He's the spark that we need," coach Beto Aguilar said. "Going forward, people will have to notice him."
Ferrer scored both goals for the Pirates in their 2-2 tie with Flagler Palm Coast on Dec. 13. Matanzas has gone six straight games without a loss since falling 3-2 to New Smyrna Beach on Nov. 16.
"We had a rough start to the season with losses to Taylor and New Smyrna," Alvarez said. "We beat New Smyrna in the preseason, but we gave up an unlucky last goal to them (in the loss)."
Powell put the Pirates up 2-0 against Wolfson (4-8) about nine minutes into the second half. His goal went through the keeper's legs. Aiden Cook had the assist, chipping it into the 18-yard box.
Alvarez scored his team-leading eighth goal of the season with about 23 minutes left. He said he switched the ball to his right foot when the angle was no longer there on his left.
"I'm good technically with both feet. And that's a big advantage, especially in high school," he said. "I hit it firmly with the laces, making sure to keep it on the floor. Luckily I hit it strong enough on the floor."
The Pirates honored their six seniors at halftime, although they still have two more home games on the schedule. Alvarez, Michael Olson, Quincy Cuthbert, Powell, Aiden Sauco and Ferrer were recognized with their families.
Matanzas is off until Jan. 6 when it hosts Seabreeze.
