The Ransom Everglades Raiders varsity boys’ soccer team faced the Westminster Christian Warriors for the third time this year after winning their past two matchups. RE was led by their two top scorers: Danny Mendoza ‘21 and David Pulido ‘22, who each scored one goal. Rylan Sadler ‘22 and Juan Rivera ‘22 were responsible for the assists that helped RE take an early lead. This high–pressure, physical and at times sloppy game was a nailbiter all the way to the last second, as both teams scrambled to score the game–winner. 

“We definitely started the game well,” said Walker White ’21. “We went up early and were playing with confidence that led us to control the game. A couple calls shifted the momentum and led Westminster to start dominating.”    

RE started off the game with high pressure, resulting in an early headed goal from Danny Mendoza ‘21 assisted by a cross-field pass from Rylan Sadler ‘22. RE controlled the game, attacked the goal and maintained a well-organized defense even without co-captain Nicolas Stone ‘21, who was sidelined due to injury. The Raiders went into halftime leading 1–0, keeping Westminster Christian scoreless in the first half for the third time this season. 

“Walker White did a great job filling in at center back for the injured Nicolas Stone,” head coach David Villano said. “Danny Mendoza also scored a nice, early goal and was constantly putting pressure on Westminster throughout the game.”  

Shortly after halftime, the Raiders scored another goal, with Pulido scoring on a 25-yard strike outside the box that curled into the back left corner of the goal. Ransom Everglades was now up 2-0 and continued to shut out the Warriors in the third quarter. 

“For 60 minutes we controlled the game,” Thomas Schein ‘21 said. “We were able to move the ball, stay solid on defense, and put a lot of pressure on their defenders. I thought everyone who played did what they had to do.”  

In the last 20 minutes of the game, Westminster began to pick up the momentum and erode RE’s lead. A minute after the start of the fourth quarter, the Warriors drew a penalty that was scored by Alex Brijbag to make the score 2-1.  

With 16 minutes left in the game, Jack Butler scored for Westminster off a throw–in, leveling the score at two goals apiece. Both sides battled to take the lead, and it came down to the wire with a game–winner from Westminster player Lucas Ruiz. The Warriors sent in a corner kick to the edge of the box where Ruiz was able to place the shot into the back left corner of the goal, making the score 3-2. RE had 10 seconds left to tie the game and sent every player forward, but never had a chance to get a shot off.  

“When battling for a championship against the best teams, the margin for error is razor-thin,” Villano said. “Our opponents’ energy forced us into some mistakes, so credit goes to Westminster. I hope the rising seniors come back together next season ready to play with intense passion. They should set a new standard of RE soccer for the students who come after them.”   

The Raiders finish the season with a final record of 12-2-5 and now look forward to bouncing back next season.