The 2024-2025 soccer season will be remembered at Olympic Heights. The boys’ squad experienced a record-breaking year, winning the district and the region championships before competing in the state semifinals. The girls’ squad accumulated a noteworthy 19-5-1 record even after their early district quarterfinals loss.

Boys’ Soccer: A Season to Remember

The boys’ squad closed with a stellar 19-3-1 record, claiming their first district and regional championships in many years. They were halted in their playoff run in the state semifinals, but their play set the bar once more for the team.

Clearly, the team played at the level they expected for the year.  “When you win a district and a regional championship, there is one way that you can characterize the play,” said head coach Keith Fries.

Confidence and preparation were their keys to victory, with a clean sweep in their debut and their early-season sojourn in Orlando generating momentum. Continuing the hype was a challenge, though.

It is never simple when teams fight with all their might to beat you since they understand just how huge the win would be, Coach Fries continued.

Multiple players took key roles, including Player of the Year honoree Kaua Kunz, and top team scorer Caua Santos. Goalkeeper Nicholas Schenk was undefeated through the state semifinals, and Matheus Garcia, Cristian Romero, and Jim Jules were also major contributors to the winning season.

“There were good things, and since it was my senior year, I attempted to do the most with everything,” senior Matheus Garcia reflected on the team’s season. “Unfortunately, it was a goodbye, but I walked aways with my head held high since we made history.”

The future is expecting big things. “This group has set the bar so much higher,” Fries stated. “The pressure is now with the players that come back to carry the program.”

Girls’ Soccer: Development and Milestones

The girls’ squad enjoyed a 19-5-1 season but lost in the district quarterfinals to Martin County. Though the season ended earlier than expected, they did enjoy a number of key moments.

The girls had a fantastic year with so many excellent games, according to head coach James Cappello. The season “fell short” because the girls team didn’t advance to the regionals when they were defeated at the hands of Martin County in a fantastic district match “that just didn’t fall our way,” Cappello stated. 

The major challenge was consistency and integration, but the girls’ soccer team achieved the following:

• Defeating Martin County in the regular season for the first time
• All varsity players registered a goal for the year (138 total goals)
• Successful Junior Varsity season (10-1 record)

A standout statistic in the group was Ava Vecchio, who set the school record with 29 assists and was picked as the Florida Athletic Coaches Association District 20 Player of the Year. Sienna Higgott was right behind her with 21 assists, with Avi Solorzano finishing her career with 44 goals. Solorzano and Payton Betz were chosen for the FACA Senior All-Stars.

With seven seniors graduating this year, among them important defensive players and the leading scorer, Coach Cappello knows that changes that will be necessitated next season: “We’re remaking more than we’re rebuilding, but we’ll try hard in order to discover our new identity.”

Both Olympic Heights soccers teams demonstrated determination and promise. The boys’ team set a team record by advancing to the state semifinals, and the girls’ team demonstrated determination and improvement. The Lions will be back with big hopes and talented players in town, positioning them for another successful season next year.