The 2022-23 high school soccer season opened in late November and Celebration hopes to remain the dominant boys team in the county despite head coach Chad Boudreaux stepping down to become the school’s athletic director. New head coach and former assistant Lauren Osborn returns enough firepower to repeat as both Orange Belt Conference and District champions.
Celebration got off to a 4-0 start, outscoring opponents 11-1. Gateway was 4-1 through early December, while Harmony was 3-4. The Boys Orange Belt Conference tournament is scheduled for Jan. 17-20 at Gateway High School.
Celebration claimed the Girls OBC championship Thursday, following a week-long bracket style tournament at Harmony High School.
Here is a look at county teams and comments from their respective head coaches:
CELEBRATION (GIRLS)
Coach: Rebecca Camis 2020-21 Record: 9-8-1
Top Returning Players: Sophia Lazari, Center/ Defensive Midfielder. Sr.; Erin Ozyurek, Striker, Sr.; Ellie Armstrong, Wing, So; Anna Balba, Wing, So., Bruna Braga Mattozinho, Centerback, Sr.
Top Newcomers: Mayah Casamalhuapa, Center Midfielder, Fr., Leandra Oliveira, Center Midfielder, Fr.
Coach Rebecca Camis’ Outlook: “As a program we are looking to continue building off of the previous year's success. Having the leadership of our returning seniors, they are laying down the foundation of our team's culture. With such a strong young squad we are hoping to develop our player's individual growth to better our team on the field. Starting off our season strong thus far, we look to continue upon that success as we head into the OBC tournament. Our team's goals are being competitive in both the OBC tournament and districts.”
CELEBRATION (BOYS)
Coach: Lauren Osborn 2021-22 Record: 11-1-4
Top Returning Players: No Response Pre Team Policy
Top Newcomers: No Response Per Team Policy.
Coach Lauren Osborn’s Outlook: “We do not emphasize individual players at Celebration. We will just say that we have a lot of great players returning and some new ones that we called up from JV from last year. We hope to improve upon what we did last season where we were undefeated in the OBC and captured a District championship. This will be hard to improve upon especially since we have a tougher schedule this year. This will make every player in the program important, as they have different styles and will be needed to keep our opponents guessing on how we are approaching each game. Every year has new challenges but one thing that never changes is how hard our county is. Hopefully we can have continued success and maybe we can do something special.”
HARMONY (BOYS)
Coach: Brett Ballard 2021-22 Record: 12-7-2
Top Returning Players: Alex Tuyo (Striker, senior, led county in goals last season); Juan Rua (Midfielder, Jr.); Michael Torres(Center Back, Sr.); Sebastian Walker(Defenseman, Sr.)
Top Newcomers: Sam Quadros (Center Back, Sr.); Gabriel Leslie(Wing, So.); Mateo Lozada (Midfielder, Sr.); Trystan Ruiz (Center Back, Sr.)
Coach Brett Ballard’s Outlook: “This year’s team has the potential to be a very dangerous team once we find our form. Losing 15 seniors last season is a large hole to fill in any program but we have gained many new experienced pieces (newcomers to the area and through growth within our program). Once they mesh we should be a team to reckon with, both in the Orange Belt Conference and our new district classification. As always the expectations and goals at Harmony remain consistently high to win OBC's and district with previous seasons but this year our primary focus is to build momentum one game at a time and when those tournaments come, we will be ready.”
GATEWAY (BOYS)
Head Coach: Sagar Patel 2021-22 Record: 7-6-3
Top Returning Players: Matthew Vargas, Sr.; Kevin Retana, Sr.; Joseph Ramirez, So.; Juan Andres Perez, Sr.
Top Newcomers: Juan Cardenas, Sr., Keandre Octave, Fr., Jose Calderon, So.
Coach Sagar Patel’s Outlook: Our expectations for this year are pretty high on the boys. We lost senior Anthony Polanco after 4 years with us, but we have more than enough capable players to make a run at the district championships again. Last year, we fell just short of the ultimate prize for a district championship by falling in penalty kicks against Lake Minneola. We have a squad that can make another run and get our hands on the top prize. Our boys make the program special, seeing their reactions after games and seeing that they put everything on the line for our school makes everything feel worth it after the final whistle.”
HARMONY (GIRLS)
Head Coach: Scott Marlega 2021-22 Record: 9-6-1
Top Returning Players: Rebekah Wiles, Midfielder, Sr.; Brynn Magner, Midfielder, Sr.; Rachael Moynihan, Defenseman, Sr.; Alycia Hizer, Defenseman, Sr.
Top Newcomers: Gabriella Guzman, Forward, Fr.
Coach Scott Marlega’s Outlook: “The Lady Longhorns return a large group of experienced seniors. We will look to lean on them and their experience to lead us on the field. We will looking to compete for both an OBC and District championship this season.”
LIBERTY (BOYS)
Head Coach: Matt Arnold 2021-22 Record: 2-15-0
Top Returning Players: Jeffrey Isaac, Leftback, Sr.; Gerson Rivera, Centerback, Sr.; Fernando Ramirez, Centerback, Jr.; Christopher Rivera, Midfielder, So.
Top Newcomers: Aaron Williams, Midfielder, Fr.; Oscar Medrano, Centerback, Fr.
Coach Matt Arnold’s Outlook: “A soccer program that is rebuilding with a young squad focusing on continued development for future success. Goals are to compete hard with high levels of energy, intensity, and effort with an end season goal of advancing out of the first round of districts.”
OSCEOLA (GIRLS)
Head Coach: Liza Pettitt 2021-22 Record: 2-15-2
Top Returning Players: Kethzairy Rivera, Defense/Keeper, Jr.; Janelisse Galarza, Forward/Midfield, Jr.;
Isabella Pettett, Midfield/Defense, So.; Meghan Felguieras, Midfield/Defense, Jr.
Top Newcomers (Name, {Position, Class)
Antonella Alcala, Forward/Midfield, Sr.; Giuliany Llovera, Forward, Fr.
Coach Liza Pettitt’s Outlook:
“We are a new mixture of players this year. We have only 13 returners between both our junior varsity and varsity teams. The expectations of both teams are to develop a love for the game since Coach Hinkson and myself have gained 20 new players from moving into our district, incoming freshman, or players that were able to join us this year. Our goal for both teams is to improve their field play, communicate more, and develop into players that have a love for the game.”
OSCEOLA (BOYS)
Head Coach: Jonathan Zilinskas 2021-22 Record: 2-15-2
Top Returning Players: Ennio Marcano, Forward, Jr., Sebastian Gutierrez, Defenseman, So.; Fernando Estrada, Midfield, Jr.
Top Newcomers: Anthony Alcala Midfielder, So., Elijah Munoz, Midfielder, So., Francesco Sanchez, Midfielder, Fr.
Coach Jonathan Zilinkas’ Outlook: “This is my first year as coach, so we are trying to create a culture of high expectations on and off the field. Our expectations are to get better every day and compete with the best. We want to outwork our opponents and be disciplined. We are very excited about our team's potential and are looking forward to capitalizing on our opportunities this year. Overall, this year will be a success if we can get quality results and create that culture of high expectations.”
POINCIANA (BOYS)
Head Coach: Michael Koudelka 2021-22 Record: 6-10-2
Top Returning Players: David Herrera, Midfield, Sr., Kenneth Norris, Goalkeeper, Jr., Ibrahim Chehtane, Midfielder, Sr., Brandon Castro, Midfielder, Jr.
Top Newcomers: Juan Toro Rodriguez, Winger, Fr., Elian Muniz Soto, Defender, Fr.
Coach Michael Koudelka’s Outlook: “With our mix of returning upperclassman and infusion of freshman we are hoping to build upon last season. When this group gels they have all the potential to be a competitive team. Our expectations of this team is to play competitive games against the rest of the schools in Osceola County. Our goal is to try and advance further in the OBC tournament and District tournament then we have before as well as prepare our athletes for life outside of high school.”
POINCIANA (GIRLS)
Head Coach: Alissa Gemblach 2021-22 Record: 6-9-2
Top Returning Players: Karina Rodriguez, Goalkeeper, Sr.; Makaila Longway, Defenseman, Sr.; Jailice Rodriguez, Defenseman, Sr.; Joselyn Bustamante, Defenseman, Jr.
Top Newcomers: Valerie Correa, Forward, Sr.; Mia Guieb, Forward, Jr.
Coach Alissa Gemblach’s Outlook: “This season we hope to utilize our core group of upper classmen, anchored by returning captain Karina Rodriguez, to improve upon last season. Our main goal this season is to finish with a winning record as well as to prepare our student athletes for life beyond high school. We hope to continue to build the program at Poinciana into one that sees success in the coming seasons.”
ST. CLOUD (GIRLS)
Head Coach: Shawn Beck 2021-22 Record: 3-10-0
Top returning players: Karen Prado, Midfielder, Sr., Delia Macdonald, Center Back, Sr.,
Natalia Martinez, Center Back, Sr., Sofia Hauser, Forward, Jr.
Top Newcomers: Victoria Pare, Midfielder, So.; Margo Barthle, Defenseman, Fr.
Coach Shawn Beck’s Outlook: “We are excited about some new talent that we have this year. These girls are filling in some deep holes created by the graduating class last year. Early practices and games are showing promise for a strong run at the district title.”
ST. CLOUD (BOYS)
Head Coach: Weylan Craig 2021-22 Record: 8-5-3
Top Returning Players: Yarrel Rodriguez, Forward, Sr.; Sebastian Alexander, Midfielder, Jacob Snow, Goalkeeper, Sr.; Adrian Gonzalez, Midfielder, So.
Top Newcomers: Edgar Garcia, Defenseman, So., Daniel Elizondo, Midfielder, So.
Coach Craig Weylan’s Outlook: “The Bulldogs are in a new district this year that includes perennial powerhouses Melbourne and Viera. The Bulldogs took on a more challenging schedule this year to help prepare for the post-season and advance out of the district. With 12 seniors, we are looking to their leadership and experience to guide the ship. This is the most promising squad we've had since winning the district in 2020.”
TOHOPEKALIGA (GIRLS)
Head Coach: Kristi Ford 2021-22 Record: 6-10-1
Top Returning Players: Teya Long (Captain), Center Back, Jr.; Victoria Santos (Captain), Midfield/Wing, Jr.; Camilla Tarazona, Striker, So.; Julia Tapia, Midfielder/Wing, So.
Top Newcomers: Natalie Ocampo, Midfielder, Fr.; Sophia Hernandez, Midfielder, So.
Coach Kristi Ford’s Outlook: “We have a very young and energetic team this year. They are bonding and working well together as a team with total support for each other. We lost our starting goalkeeper to a torn ACL right before our season started, but Melina Swaisgood is ready to step up to the challenge. This is a great building year for the Lady tigers and we are super excited to watch as this team hopefully will grow, play and win together, both on and off the field.”
TOHOPEKALIGA (BOYS)
Head Coach: Erick Meneses 2021-22 Record: 6-10-1
Top Returning Players: Sebastian Maldonado, Goalkeeper, Sr.; Carlos Rojas, Forward, Sr.; Diego Palomino, Midfielder, Sr.; Diego Smith, Midfielder, Jr.
Top Newcomers: Kayl Bernard , Forward, So.; Santiago Guedez, Forward, Fr.
Coach Erick Meneses Outlook : “As the head coach, our goals is always to achieve great things like winning our first district title for the school (only 5 years old) or winning our first OBC tournament but at the same time we want to build a program with principles that stand out throughout not just the school but outside of school as well. We have a very young team with 12 seniors (only 5 returning seniors from varsity last year) leading the younger guys which a majority of them are sophomores. Our expectation is to see growth and at the same time aim for another winning season. Development is crucial at our program but come OBC and Districts, our team should be confident and solid with our system of play and the bond between each other.”
