The Westminster Academy boys water polo team captured its first FHSAA state championship in school history with a thrilling 10-9 victory against Mater Lakes Academy at Gian Zumpano Aquatic Center at Belen Jesuit Preparatory School in Miami on Saturday.
Westminster Academy senior Matthew Troche recorded a team-high five goals in the championship win. Senior Sebastian Garcia and junior Dane Fox both registered two goals apiece and junior Christopher Bennett added a goal for the Lions. Senior goalie
David Maxson had 10 saves in the victory.
The teams battled to a 2-2 tie at the end of the first quarter. Westminster Academy (24-2) jumped out to a 4-2 lead and had a 5-4 advantage after two quarters.
Troche had two consecutive goals to break a 5-5 tie in the third quarter. The Lions had a 7-6 advantage entering the fourth. Mater Lakes Academy (24-3) responded to tie the score at 8-8. Troche delivered a go-ahead goal and Garcia added another goal to make it 10-8. The Lions held on for a one-goal victory.
“We had some nerves and a lot of emotions playing in a state final so we had to conquer that,” Westminster Academy coach Daniel Cercols said. “We competed and were able to finish and take it. We were prepared for this moment and we have some experienced players who were able to carry our team. We have been so disciplined on defense and solid all season.”
Westminster Academy rallied and defeated St. Thomas Aquinas 11-10 in overtime in the state semifinal on Friday.
St. Thomas Aquinas (20-7) jumped out a 2-0 lead and had a 4-1 advantage at the end of the first quarter. The Raiders had a 6-4 lead at the end of the second. The Raiders led by as many as three goals in third and had an 8-6 advantage entering the fourth. Troche scored two straight goals to tie the score at 8-8. St. Thomas Aquinas led 10-9 late in the fourth before Troche’s game-tying goal. Fox delivered the game-winning goal in overtime. Westminster Academy did not hold a lead the entire contest prior to Fox’s goal to send the Lions to the state championship contest.
“We were able to keep it close and were able to stay patient,” Cercols said. “We have a disciplined team. We made the plays we needed to and played together. We have good players and they have learned a lot from each other to get better. We have players who were very hungry to win a state title. We have a really strong team.”
Troche had a team-high five goals and Fox recorded four goals in the victory. Garcia and junior Lucas Linares both scored for the Lions.
St. Thomas Aquinas junior Lev Konnikov recorded three goals to lead the Raiders. Junior Samuel Eastaugh and freshman Andreas Lajko both had two goals apiece. Junior Tommaso Leonard and junior Holden Harkins both scored for the Raiders.
St. Thomas Aquinas entered the state semifinal on a seven-game winning streak. They cruised past Stoneman Douglas 21-10 in the regional quarterfinal, defeated Dr. Krop 16-8 in the regional semifinal and held off Miami Country Day 10-9 in the regional final.
Westminster Academy had defeated St. Thomas Aquinas 13-12 in overtime during the regular season in March.
Westminster Academy rolled past Jupiter 18-5 in the regional quarterfinal, cruised past St. Andrew’s 22-6 in the regional semifinal and defeated West Orange 19-8 in the regional final.
Originally Published: