Key West and Coral Shores’ girls soccer teams wasted little time getting in their first match of the regular season, facing one another in the Upper Keys on Nov. 5. Just four minutes into the game, senior Madison Kilduff sent the ball sailing into the back of the net to put the Conchs ahead 1-0.
Holding onto the lead until the final moments of the game, Key West put up a strong defensive front. But with nine minutes to go, the Hurricanes were awarded a penalty kick off a flagrant foul. Coral Shores senior Kai Redruello capitalized to tie it up at 1-all. The score held until the final whistle and both teams remained undefeated with the 1-1 tie.
“Coral Shores always comes ready to play and the match was, as usual, very physical,” said Conchs head coach Scott Paul.
It would be the only match of the week for the Hurricanes, but Key West went on to play two more, first at Mater Academy Charter the following afternoon, then at Olympic Heights in Boca Raton on Nov. 7. Key West dominated Mater Academy in a mercy-rule victory, picking up the first win of the season for a Keys team with their 8-0 score.
Maicee Gage struck first off a free kick by Kilduff, who also assisted Aly Camargo in goal number two of the game. Kilduff finished the match with two goals of her own to complement the assists. Freshman Gabriella Rodriguez and sophomore Suena Marcily added a pair of goals apiece to account for the Conchs’ scoring. Kiersten Tate was credited with two assists and Beyza Atilla with one. Both athletes are freshmen.
“We wanted to get the younger players more time on the field here early in the season, so we were able to play them throughout much of the first half,” said Paul.
Against Olympic Heights, the Conchs battled to another 1-1 tie to remain undefeated. The Lions struck first, then the Conchs answered when Kilduff set up center midfielder Alondra Montilla for a one-on-one with the goalkeeper. Montilla scored, but the Lady Conchs could not get the go-ahead goal before time ran out.
Paul praised his defense, led by goalkeeper Mary Searcy, with excellent play. Molly McKnight, Colbie Turner, JaeLynn Morgan and Marcily locked down the Conchs’ opponents in a defensive system that allowed for rotations including Lily Andrew, Keira Feitz, Lily Baxter, Kenli Rosado, Luna Godreau and Atilla.
“The Olympic Heights match was one that we scheduled to get us some good solid competition coming off the starting line, and they did not disappoint,” said Paul. “We took a little time getting warmed up on the field, but once we clicked, we played some really good soccer.”
Marathon did not secure a win last week, but the team showed a lot of promise in a pair of matches. On Nov. 5, the Fins traveled to Keys Gate, where they started the season off in a 4-4 tie. Sarah Picariello started things off with an unassisted goal, then Mackenzie Budi assisted Kayla Skaarup on the next. Skaarup then assisted Allison Helms on goal number three and Addison Collins found the back of the net off a strong corner kick. The next day, the Lady Fins fell to SLAM Academy 6-2. Collins scored one goal on a penalty kick while Picariello netted the second, assisted by Fantine Mendez.
In boys action, Key West started the season off at Gulliver Prep on Nov. 4. The Conchs faced the No. 5 team in the state in any class for their opening match, and despite a 7-1 loss, the squad showed resolve, getting on the board with a Loubins Fleuridor goal against a team that managed 13 shoutouts last season. On Nov. 7, Fleuridor struck again with an unassisted goal against SLAM Academy. Sebastian Camargo netted a pair of goals and SLAM lent a hand with an own-goal, but the Conchs’ foe found the right net another six times to make it a 6-4 loss for Key West.
Marathon faced Miami Country Day Nov. 4 for its season opener. The Fins lost 6-0, then made a second trip to Miami in week one to face SLAM Academy. Marathon lost that one 5-0, with senior goalkeeper Tiago Rivero credited with a myriad of exceptional saves.
Coral Shores played one match last week, facing Ransom Everglades on Nov. 7. The Hurricanes, who are without several key players still running for cross country, lost 3-0.
