East Ridge High School has emerged as the champions of Region 7A in boys soccer with a defeat of Winter Park High School by a score of 3-0. The team’s success is a result of the hard work and perseverance of the players, that has resulted in a season record of 17-3-1. East Ridge will take on Boca Raton(22-4) this Saturday night at 7pm in Clermont.
Boca Raton defeated Celebration by a score of 2-1 in their regional title game that was marred by a postgame brawl that resulted in law enforcement separating players and parents climbing over the fence.
Wednesday’s game had a slow first half ending with a 0-0 score. The play was highlighted by a couple of good saves by junior keeper Nicolas Aquino who stopped 9 shots on goal during the game. Senior Ethan “E” Loden sums it up, “everyone has each other’s backs and we fight till the end in every game.”
The Knights found their legs and hearts in the second half. Jonathan “Jono” Green had a critical save in an empty net, added an assist and played solid defense. Jono shared, “words don’t describe how proud I am to be a part of a team as passionate as my teammates are about the game of soccer.” MaxPreps awarded the player of the game to Freshman Elijah Cordner who scored two goals with Ethan Loden adding the third.
Senior Chase Barth was also solid on defense using his height to head many balls clear of the goal. Chase explains it this way, “we are a team just having fun and trying to win a state championship out of it.”
East Ridge is hosting this game after solid play all season gave them a slim margin in the FHSAA power ranking over Boca Raton. Senior Miguel Rivera sat the game out but added, “I’m so proud to be part of this team making it to the state finals. Most of them I’ve known
since 6th grade growing up with them and seeing our hard work finally pay off, winning the regional final.”
Senior Max Kempany who led the team in assists, wraps up the team excitement, “I’m so proud of our team and grateful that we have been able to fight and advance to the final games of the state tournament.”
The State Championship game will be played on Saturday February 25 at a location to be determined after this Saturday’s game. The other semi final pits Newsome against Doral Academy on Saturday night in Tampa.
Tickets for the game are available on a walk up basis at East Ridge High School, 13322 Excalibur Road, Clermont. Just look for the bright lights and cheering fans.
Good Luck East Ridge!
