Total Futbol

Halftime: Boca Raton 2, Varela 0

Boca Raton takes a halftime lead after a goal in the 26th minute and another in the 40th of its Class 6A semifinal showdown with Varela.

A stiff wind from the staff put the team attacking that direction at a distinct
disadvantage.

In the first half, that team was Varela.

Boca Raton controlled the action for the game's first eight minutes, but the Vipers
fought through the breeze -- and the Bobcats' defense for two fantastic opportunities.

Both went for naught.

The first was a shot on goal through traffic by Jaime Restrepo. Boca keeper Jon Ross
was able to fight off a screen and make the save.

The second chance should have been a goal. Varela's Joseph Alex headed a ball that Ross
deflected; Alex blasted a rebound that hit the post, and then a teammate took another shot
that was stopped by a Boca defender.

Then in the 26th minute, Boca Raton proved why it's so highly touted.

Three Bobcats pushed past the Vipers' broken down defense and scored on a cross from
Justin Diaz to Sevin Barnes. Boca Raton 1, Varela 0.

Then with just 14 seconds left in the half, Boca Raton struck again. Lucas Diniz pounded through a corner kick from brother Vinicius Diniz, setting up the 2-0 advantage.

Hello from University of Tampa

Beautiful day for a soccer game. It's 63 degrees without a cloud in the sky, expected to get up to 71 at noon's kickoff.

Let's hope there's anybody in the stands to watch. Why the FHSAA would schedule this match, pitting Dade's representative, Varela, against Boca Raton -- possibly the best team in the nation -- is hard to fathom.

As for the campus, it's gorgeous.

Tiny soccer-specific stadium, with bleachers on just one side, opens up onto the city's skyline.

The architecture on campus is eclectic. I particularly like the massive Plant Hall, which has the feel of a Middle Eastern fortress.

More musings as the day goes on.

Friday's Soccer Schedule

GIRLS' STATE FINAL FOUR

Class 3A

St. Andrew's (Boca Raton) vs. American Heritage (Plantation) - Noon

Bolles (Jacksonville) vs. Trinity Catholic (Ocala) - 2:15 p.m.

Class 5A

Fleming Island vs. George Jenkins (Lakeland) - 5 p.m.

Palm Harbor University vs. Satellite (Satellite Beach) - 7:15 p.m.

BOYS' SOCCER

Region 4-6A final at Traz Powell: Varela at Miami High, 7

Region 3-6A final at Coral Springs: Boca Raton at Deerfield Beach, 7

Region 4-5A final: Monarch at Cape Coral, 7

Region 4-4A final: Merritt Island at Cardinal Gibbons, 3:30

Region 4-3A final: Pine Crest at Miami Gulliver, 3

Region 4-2A final: Westminster Christian at Delray American Heritage, 7

From Friday's Miami Herald

Douglas phenom Kelsey Wys ended her magical senior season in heartbreaking fashion, as the Douglas keeper allows three goals in a loss to Melbourne in the Class 6A state championship game. Better news, South Florida: Cardinal Gibbons advanced to the 4A title match. And on the boys' side, I take a look at the four Broward teams left standing.

The headlines:

Douglas girls' soccer team loses in 6A state final

Cardinal Gibbons girls' soccer team reaches 4A final

4 Broward teams eye shot at state soccer title

Thursday's soccer schedule

GIRLS' STATES

CLASS 2A

St. Johns Country Day vs. American Heritage (Delray Beach), 5 p.m.

CLASS 4A

Gulf Breeze vs. Ponte Vedra, noon

Cypress Lake (Fort Myers) vs. Cardinal Gibbons (Fort Lauderdale), 2:15 p.m.

CLASS 6A

Melbourne vs. Douglas, 7:30 p.m.

From Thursday's Miami Herald -- States edition

We knew we'd have a team in the Class 6A state finals. The regional map is drawnn up that way. We just weren't sure if it would be Douglas or Miami Springs.

We should have known it was Douglas. The Eagles have a trump card in goal. Keeper Kelsey Wys recorded the 22nd shutout of the season, tying the state record, in Douglas' 2-0 victory over Miami Springs. She can break it in the year's biggest game: the state title match against Melbourne.

Gametime is 7:30 p.m.

Game story:

Shutout sends Douglas girls' soccer team back to state final game

Wednesday's Soccer Schedule

WORLD CUP QUALIFIER

Mexico vs. United States in Columbus, Ohio, 7 p.m., ESPN2, Univision

GIRLS' STATE FINAL FOUR

CLASS 6A

Douglas vs. Miami Springs, 2:15 p.m.

Oviedo vs. Melbourne, 5 p.m.

CLASS 2A

St. Johns Country Day vs. King's Academy, noon

Tampa Prep vs. American Heritage (Delray Beach), 7:15 p.m.

From Wednesday's Miami Herald

Pine Crest's improbable run continues, while Douglas' comes to and end. Varela beats Killian -- finally -- when it matters the most, and Cardinal Gibbons' boys' team is one win away from joining its girls' in Tampa. Speaking of which, the girls' final four begins. Ah, the playoffs.

The headlines:

Gibbons advances with OT victory

Deerfield boys headed to Region 3-6A finals

Varela boys' soccer topples Killian

Pine Crest shocks N. Broward

Broward sending 3 teams to state girls' soccer final four

Miami Springs has tough state tournament soccer foe

Deerfield Beach downs Douglas in double OT

Diego Ramos scored a Golden Goal to lift Deerfield Beach past Douglas in the second overtime to send the Bucks onto the regional final for the first time in school history.

Deerfield Beach prevailed despite playing much of the second half and all of overtime down a man, lost to a red card.

The Bucks will face the winner of Boca Raton-Wellington for the right to go to States.

For complete coverage, read Wednesday's Miami Herald.

North Broward Prep remains ranked in NSCAA/adidas poll

The last two weeks have not been kind to highly-touted local teams.

Back on Jan. 27, American, Killian, University and North Broward Prep were all in the Top 10 of NSCAA/adidas' Region I (Southern schools) poll.

But North Broward Prep is South Florida's lone representative in the latest rankings, remaining tied for 10th in Region I. Palm Beach County powerhouses Boca Raton (No. 1) and Wellington (No. 3) remain highly touted.

Nationally, Boca Raton is second and Wellington tied for ninth.