The Ransom Everglades Girls Varsity Soccer team entered the 2024–25 season with confidence and excitement, opening with a pre-season win against Coral Reef Senior High School that set the tone for the months ahead. With a strong group of returning players, the Raiders showed their chemistry from the very first whistle.
That early momentum never wavered.
With a final record of 14-5-3, RE quickly rose through Florida’s Class 2A rankings, finishing the season ranked #2 in the division and #24 in the entire state. Nationally, they earned an impressive #68 spot. Coach Antonio Boada, in his second RE season, emphasized the team’s collective mindset: “We had our internal goal to reach the final four. Everyone knew the amount of work they had to put into accomplishing the goal. And I think we did.”
A Message from the Captain-
When Kenzie Connell ‘26 was chosen as one of the team’s captains at the start of the season, she set clear intentions for the kind of leader she wanted to be. “I think it’s better to have a positive constructive mindset than only focusing on winning,” she said. “My goals were mainly to lead by example and bring up the team through both words and actions.” As the team’s starting center back, her voice helped organize the defense, but her leadership proved to extend beyond the field. Kenzie showed that leadership wasn’t about being busy, but rather about listening, supporting others, and taking accountability when needed.
Inside the locker room –
At the home opener game on November 4 against Divine Savior Academy, the team performed what became their signature locker room ritual for the first time. “We had a little ritual that we thought was good luck,” said Kenzie Connell ‘26. “First, we would play the song Money Talks (radio edit), then we’d all get in a circle, jump up and down, and sing the song while moving in one direction and then the other. Afterwards, we would do the Waka Waka Just Dance.” What might have looked chaotic from the outside was, to them, a moment of unity. As Coach Antonio put it, “We were so united on and off of the field. We play for each other.”
Building Chemistry Across Grades
The team’s chemistry was solidified after a 2–2 draw with Palmer Trinity on January 16t, during the regular season. “We had a lot of new freshmen, and the second they joined, the older girls really came together and welcomed them,” said Junior midfielder Stella Colombo ’26, who was later named Miami-Dade Player of the Year by the Miami Herald. “We became so strong and had such good chemistry because of how close we were from the start of the season.” That support system, tested during the Palmer matchup, allowed them to connect as a unit and elevate each other on and off the field.
Playing for Addison-
One of the most defining challenges of the season occurred on February 19, during the regional semifinal against Palmer Trinity, when starting goalkeeper Addison Pollock ‘25 went down with a deep knee cut that required stitches. “There was definitely a moment of panic, and I lost a certain level of that calm and adaptability that I had been trying so hard to keep,” said Connell. But once the shock settled, the team fought for this win even harder. “We realized, now we really need to win this game. It’s even more important because we’re playing for Addison.” At that moment, backup goalkeeper Lindsay Ng ’25 stepped in. “Addison is an experienced, confident player, and having your starting goalie go down is tough,” said Coach Teo Delia. “But Lindsay Ng stepped in, and she was so brave. Despite not having much experience, she went out there and got the job done. The team really performed under pressure. I think that game is the highlight of the season because of the adversity we faced and how well the girls responded.”
The Defining Game-
That same Palmer Trinity matchup turned out to be the season’s emotional climax. “It felt amazing,” said Colombo. “We played Palmer, which is one of our biggest rival teams, and that was the game Addison got hurt. That was the moment we really had to come together and fight for what we wanted.” The 4–3 win came after a season of constant back-and-forth: a 3–1 victory over Palmer in the Palm League tournament and a 2–2 tie during the regular season. “The regional final against Palmer Trinity was a huge moment,” said Coach Teo Delia. This third and final triumph was the most crucial and memorable of all.
A Send-Off to Remember –
On February 26, the day before the team left for DeLand, Florida, the entire school came together to celebrate them in a way they’d never forget. RE students lined up with banners and pom-poms in hand to form a pathway as the team ran through the crowd, high-fiving their classmates and soaking in the energy. “Since it was such an important milestone—especially being the first time for the girls—we wanted to make it memorable,” said Coach Delia. “Win or lose, we wanted them to always remember that day and feel the support of our entire student body. The pep rally was fun, and the girls had a great time,” he added.
The Journey to DeLand –
The trip to DeLand was unforgettable. From the long bus rides to the laughter and team bonding in hotel hallways, the Raiders soaked up every moment. “The girls are a wonderful group,” said Coach Delia. “They’re so fun to be around because they love to work, they respect and value each other, and they’re all working toward the same goal.” To make the moment even more special, the school invited students to join the team on a fan bus and support their fellow classmates at their big game. Coach Delia, who helped document the journey through Instagram updates and behind-the-scenes content, said, “We posted training and activation sessions too, to show the behind-the-scenes of our prep for the biggest game of the season.” It wasn’t just a team milestone but rather a community celebration, shared in real time by everyone back home.
The Final Match & the FutuRE –
Though the final match ended in a loss, it marked something far more important than the scoreboard. “Even when we win the titles and stuff like that, what is satisfying for us as a staff is to see everyone commit to the same goal—even the athletics, all the people in Ransom—and that’s really beautiful,” said Coach Boada. With most of the roster returning and a new wave of middle school talent coming up, the team is already looking ahead. “The middle school team has pretty good talent, young talent, and we can keep on building the program,” Coach Boada said. However, none of it would have been possible without the senior class who helped shape the culture that defined this historic run. And even though they’ll be missed, the foundation they built ensures the team will continue to be just as strong.
[AP1]these captions are going to be changed we just needed them to organize things
[AP2]the whole thing will be less wordy and more captive as well
Which Stella? Do we need full name and class ?
