Preview: Healthy American Heritage Girls Ready To Defend Soccer Crown

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Four-time defending 3A girls state champion American Heritage started the 2016-17 season with a healthy lineup.

"We are healthy as of now, it makes a difference," said Patriots sixth-year coach Cindy Marcial.

"We are going back to our original system now that we have some of our injured players back. We can have more of an attack. We can have three midfielders instead of packing the midfield.

"Last year because of injuries before and during the season we had to change the system three different times before the state game."

Before last season even started, the Patriots lost key players Dara Magdeleno and Angel Bredlove to ACL injuries, and Chyanne Dennis, a member of the U.S. Under-17 national team, to a dislocated kneecap.

Despite the injuries and graduating eight seniors, the Patriots ended up winning their fourth consecutive state crown with a young squad including five freshmen and five sophomores.

"Last year I knew we had a young team because of the injuries," Marcial said. "The two girls that scored in the final were freshmen. Our girls went out there and played with confidence. They didn't think for one second they weren't going to win and they found a way to win."

In the state final, freshmen Marlee Fray and Taylor Dobles scored to lead the Patriots to a 2-0 victory over Ponte Vedra. The Patriots ended the season at 22-1. The one loss was to St. Thomas Aquinas in the season-opener when the Patriots were missing six starters.

The Patriots return 22 of 24 players with veteran high school and year-round club experience.

"Having girls at a higher level, they can play different positions and no one really complains where they play," Marcial said.

Jaida Scott, last year's captain as a junior, returns to lead the team. A healthy Dennis also returns to the lineup.

Scott and Dennis lead the defense that also returns Stephanie Abderdeen and goalkeeper Rikki Farquarson.

While the Patriots are off to a good start with a 6-0 record, they are taking nothing for granted.

"Hopefully, we make it through to another state final," Marcial said.

"We definitely are not overconfident. Every year is different. We want them to be scared. You never want a team overconfident. The past two years we won with starters out but anything can happen. Pembroke Pines Charter came at us. We beat them 3-0 but we were a little lax and it was an eye-opener for us."

The Patriots have also defeated Pine Crest, 3-1; Mourning, 9-0; Stranahan, 10-0; Pompano Beach, 9-1 and Hallandale 14-0.

"Everyone plays us like it's their World Cup final," Marcial said. "They come at you in every game. It's hard for us to be like that. By midseason, after Christmas, it will be time to fine tune."

On Dec. 16th, the Patriots will be tested when they host state runner-up Our Lady of Lourdes.

"I would rather play good teams and lose to them during the regular season. We want to play everyone but not everyone wants to play us," Marcial said. "Every game is a stepping stone to help us get into our style of play. We are a technical team, a finesse team."

If the Patriots win a fifth straight state title and 11th overall in the program's history, it would tie them with Douglas (2003-07) for second place on the all-time state list. St. Thomas Aquinas holds the all-time consecutive streak of seven (1993-1999). The Raiders also lead the state with 13 state titles.

"I am proud of the girls and what my coaches have done," Marcial said. "It is hard to keep winning. That's the hardest thing. When you are on top everyone wants to see you fall.

"But No. 1, these girls are all friends, everybody likes each other. There is no drama on my team. They are going to fight for each other and have each other's backs."

Broward County has several strong girls teams that could challenge for state titles.

St. Thomas Aquinas is 7-0, its recent victory a 6-0 shutout of Western. The Raiders, who lost in the Class 4A state semifinal to two-time defending champion Viera, return Florida State-bound Bella Dorosy, the Gatorade Player of the Year and senior forward.

North Broward Prep is 8-1-0 with top players Morgan Sherman, last year's leading scorer; Morgan Hawes and Morgan Newman.

Douglas is 6-2 despite having only two seniors. Broward County Sports Hall of Famer and Eagles coach Laura Rountree has won four state titles at Douglas. Douglas' most recent win was a 9-0 shutout of Monarch. Jamie Morris scored four goals and Isabella Zapata added two.

Cardinal Gibbons is 7-1-1 after playing Archbishop McCarthy to a 0-0 tie. The Chiefs are led by KK Pawelczyk, Alanna Lutchmansingh and Amy Barra and goalkeepers Ryleigh Brown and Sarah Arcella.

Westminster Academy returns as a State 1A semifinalist after losing to Naples Community School, 1-0 in overtime. The Lions finished the season at 20-2-1 after their first state appearance since 2004. With top players Camryn Paglario and Kathryn Ford they would like to make it back.

GIRLS TO WATCH

American Heritage Plantation: Jaida Scott, Chyanne Dennis, Stephanie Abderdeen, Rikki Farquarson, Taylor Dobles, Emma Vasquez.

Archbishop McCarthy: Olivia Reese, Celeste Talbot, Jenny Corzo, Devyn Encalada.

Cardinal Gibbons: Ryleigh Brown, Alanna Lutchmansingh, Kaitlyn Pawelczyk, Ariela Beharry.

Chaminade-Madonna: Alexis Whitaker.

Cooper City: Saige Griffin, Victoria Ramos.

Cypress Bay: Maya Gordon, Kylie McCue, Cassidy Morgan.

Douglas: Samantha Tobar, Madison Ciccone, Marley Hall.

Flanagan: Cheyenne Ferrin.

Fort Lauderdale: Sydney Cunningham.

Highlands Christian: Sara Carroll.

North Broward Prep: Morgan Sherman, Morgan Hawes, Morgan Newman.

Pine Crest: Eva Spyredes, Madeleine Turner, Gabi Meli.

St. Thomas Aquinas: Bella Dorosy, Chloe O'Neill, Abigail Pangallo, Mary McCormick, Mackenzie Fee.

University School: Melissa Rabinowitz, Jessica Roman, Kendaya Jackson

Western: Elizabeth Berbesi, Gabby Sanon.

Westminster Academy: Camryn Paglario, Kathryn Ford.

DEFENDING STATE CHAMPIONS
Class 5A: Oviedo
Class 4A: Melbourne Viera
Class 3A: American Heritage Plantation
Class 2A: Jacksonville Bolles
Class 1A: Orange Park St. Thomas Country Day

KEY DATES
Dec. 7, Archbishop McCarthy at St. Thomas Aquinas, 6 p.m.
Dec. 7, Cypress Bay at Pine Crest, 4:30 p.m.
Dec. 8, North Broward Prep at Clearwater Central Catholic, 4 p.m.
Dec. 9, North Broward Prep at Berkeley Prep, 4 p.m.
Dec. 10, Lake Nona at St. Thomas Aquinas, 11 a.m.
Dec. 13, Pembroke Pines Charter at American Heritage Plantation, 5 p.m.
Dec. 14, Cardinal Gibbons at North Broward Prep, 5 p.m.
Dec. 16, Our Lady of Lourdes at American Heritage Plantation, 5 p.m.
Dec. 17, Gulf Coast at American Heritage Plantation, noon.
Dec. 20, Archbishop McCarthy at American Heritage Plantation, 5 p.m.
Dec. 22, American Heritage Plantation at Cardinal Gibbons, 3 p.m.
Jan. 6, Pine Crest at North Broward Prep, 5 p.m.
Jan. 9, Westminster Christian at St. Thomas Aquinas, 7:30 p.m.
Jan. 9, Archbishop McCarthy at North Broward Prep, 5 p.m.
Jan. 10, American Heritage Plantation at Coconut Creek, 7 p.m.
Jan. 14, Pine Crest at Gulliver Prep, 2 p.m.
Jan. 16-21, District tournaments
Jan. 26, Region tournament quarterfinals
Jan. 31, Region tournament semifinals
Feb. 3, Region tournament finals
Feb. 8-11, State Championships
Feb. 21, BCAA Girls All-Star Soccer Classic, Pompano Beach High, 6 p.m.