Entering Jan. 16, the Coral Gables Senior High boys soccer team was ready to face their opponent in the Hialeah Gardens Gladiators. However, that was not everything they had in mind. Featuring the last home game of the season, the seniors enjoyed a notable outing to savor their time spent on the Gables field competing and coming out victorious. Facing Hialeah Gardens proved to be a simple task as the Cavaliers stomped on the Gladiators with a score of 4 to 0.
The seniors knew it was their last opportunity to showcase their efforts and skills to a Gables crowd. Having spent years around the sport of soccer, these student-athletes have contributed to the success of the team and were commemorated as their journey for Gables reached its last chapter.
“First of all, there is a trio which I will miss who are Keller, Nicolas, and Anthony. We are so close I can consider them my children and I have known them since they were young. Next year will be a completely different year with a lot of key players missing but their will still be some key players like Sky, Gabriel, and Victor. After these next few years soccer will change for me with many players I have grown close to, gone,” Coach Fotso said.
Although the game resulted in a lopsided victory, Gables had fun watching their seniors play together. Seniors from the starting line-up and the bench were able to compete with one another during the 90 minute match.
The Cavaliers’ senior night commended the efforts of each player to bring the Gables boys soccer to new heights in recent years. In 2023, the Cavaliers reached the regional finals for the first time since the 1950s. The legacy of these senior boys will live on.
“My high school soccer experience was definitely memorable. I met so many of my closest friends on the team and we’ve had many great memories like bus rides on the way back from winning games. When your winning with a team in high school, it’s one of the most fun things you can do,” senior Anthony Roles-Fotso said.
After the match, the senior players also received one goodie bag and matching track jackets in black. Several of them were delighted with their new gear and showcase them to their family and friends.
Coming towards the end of the season the Cavaliers own a 10-5-1 record, slightly worse than the record of last year’s squad around this time of year. Anticipating a hefty matchup against Columbus in the district semifinals, Gables faces a must-win situation in order to advance into the state playoffs. The game will take place Jan. 26 at the neutral site of Doral Academy Preparatory Academy.
“I’m looking forward to are match up against Columbus. Having already passed senior night, I’m just hoping for a win. I want to come in with a good mentality and a good attitude and hopefully we can get the job done and beat them,” senior Nicolas Miller said.
