The Ransom Everglades Raiders showed no signs of developing any post-Thanksgiving rust Saturday afternoon as they routed the Key West Conchs 6-1. The Raiders were led by Daniel Mendoza ‘21 and Daniel Daley ’22, with each scoring two goals respectively. Other contributors for RE were David Pulido ‘22 and Dillan Kaye ‘22, both scoring one goal.  

“We practice how we play,” Daley said. “So, we just go really hard in practice and it helps us in the game to go just as hard.” 

RE started off the first half controlling the tempo, pushing the ball into Key West territory, and stymieing several attempts by the Conchs to push the ball onto the Raiders’ half of the field. However, Key West would open up the scoring with a goal on RE goalie Martin Piedrahita ‘24 off a free kick with 26:31 remaining in the half. 

But the Conchs’ lead would not last long. Daniel Daley ‘23 quickly struck back with a goal under three minutes later, tying the game at 1-1 heading into the first water break. 

“I just like to take it down the line and look for the open guy in the middle,” Daley said. “It’s just all team play. We look for each other and we’re just looking to score like that.” 

From there the Raiders continued to expand their lead, with a Mendoza goal off a blocked Daley shot less than two minutes after the break and a Pulido score from a Walker White ‘21 assist with 12:27 to play in the first half. Ransom Everglades led 3-1 over Key West at the half. 

“I think the team has been really emphasizing picking up the pace a bit from our previous games,” Mendoza said. “I know today we kind of started off a little bit slow, but I think once we realized we were starting off slow we picked up the pace. I think everybody put in their part to take their responsibility well, and we were able to execute right after we conceded the goal and take the lead once again. After that, we were able to manage the game, which is what we have been emphasizing in practice.” 

Jasper Broad ‘23 was brought in to start the second half at goalie, replacing Piedrahita. RE kept its positive momentum going, with Mendoza scoring another goal less than a minute after the start of the half. But the Raiders would not take their foot off the gas, continuing to control the tempo of the game resulting in Daley and Kaye each scoring a goal with under five minutes to play.  

“I think the team has really put it in [its] mind right now, part of that is from the leadership and the older guys as well, to keep playing until the very last second because anything can change from the first minute to the last minute as we clearly saw in today’s game,” Mendoza said. “I think they’ve been having that mentality of not letting up every single fifty-fifty ball. It all counts. Every single play matters, and anyone can be the game-changer.” 

The Raiders are now 3-0-1 on the season as they prepare to take on the Archbishop Edward A. McCarthy Mavericks on Friday at 4:30 p.m.