On Top: Raiders Advance to Number One Soccer Team in the Nation

Samantha Gitlin, Editor-in-Chief • 227 Views

January 17, 2024

The team celebrates a goal. Senior Cosme Salas scored the only goal of the game. He was assisted by junior Jorge Gouvea.

The Boys Varsity Soccer team won their game against SLMHS on Tuesday as the number one team in the country for the winter.

The Raiders recently went up in rank and are currently ranked number 1 in the country for the winter season according to Maxpreps. This is the first time that the team has been ranked this high. The team was able to increase their rank after their wins against St. Thomas Aquinas and SLMHS.

“We’ve been in the top five for a while now. I feel like it’s obviously exciting for us since we’ve worked hard, but we have to uphold our title a little more than we have been. We can’t let it get to our heads,” senior and left back Daniel Ortiz said.

As the Raiders progress in the season, they continue to play undefeated. They recently won the Palm League Championship and look to continue on to districts. Their next game will be the last game of the regular season.

“The next game is our senior night against a good opponent. I’m very grateful that I get to experience such an amazing night with all my teammates and coaches,” senior and striker Benjamin Quintana said. “Next game is going to be a bittersweet one as our last regular season game as seniors and our senior night.”

The raiders played their second to last game of the regular season at home against SLMHA and won 1-0. The goal was scored by Senior Cosme Salas after Junior Jorge Gouvea took the ball from the other team and chipped the ball in between two defenders to Salas.

Junior Jorge Gouvea kicks and defends the ball. The Raiders continue their winning streak after they beat SLMHS. They recently became ranked number one in the country. (Alex Beker)

“It feels good to be part of a goal especially since it’s something that I have been practicing. To get it right in a game where it counts feels really good,” center midfielder Gouvea said.

Senior and striker Benjamin Lazcano received the award of player of the game. He assisted the team by distributing the ball to the wingers. He also helped to implement different drills to assist in scoring a goal. He enjoyed playing the game as the number 1 team.

“Being number one feels great, but with great power comes great responsibility. I am happy that we are getting recognized for our hard work but the job is far from over. Being number one is not a title, it’s a mindset,” Lazcano said.

The Raiders play their last game of the regular season against Downtown Doral on Friday at home.