“Down the wire.” It’s a phrase that comes from horse racing. Used to describe the wire stretched across the track to mark the finish line, it also describes a situation that is decided at the very last minute. It’s the perfect phrase to describe South Broward High School’s district title game against St. Thomas Aquinas – down to the wire.
On Thursday, January 30th, the Bulldogs snatched the District 6A title from the clutches of the Radars in a nail-biting match that ended in penalty kicks. With a final score of 2-2 and a shots on goal score of 4-2, South Broward defied expectations and dethroned last year’s state champions.
“It felt really good, knowing the chances we had in the regular game, although it could have been better, the outcome was great.” said junior SBHS striker Angelo Rodriguez.
The stands were packed with various fans from different schools. As the Bulldogs stepped onto the pristine astro turf of St. Thomas Aquinas’ Brian Piccolo Memorial Stadium. As last year’s reigning state champs, the Radars were favored to win. But The Radars were hungry. Very Hungry. From the first whistle, a long-time rivalry was reignited on the field.
From the opening minutes, St. Thomas dominated the Bulldogs, keeping the ball in play at the Bulldogs end. The pressure paid off as St. Thomas (#40) Brock Lucena struck the first goal of the game. The home crowd erupted in celebration.
“Honestly, I think they did much better. They adapted to the way we played, managed to cut us off, especially in the midfield.” said Central Midfielder and SBHS senior Lucas Velazco.
But the Bulldogs responded quickly. Off a corner, South Broward’s Velazco, sent a precise cross into the melee of players, where 6-foot-2 Joey Ben Ezra (#22) soared above the defenders and headed the ball in. 1-1. Game On.
“It was amazing, how the penalty scores went in first from me to Mario and then Joey, I was confident to win.” said Velazco.
During the chaos of the Bulldogs’ first goal. St. Thomas’s starting goalkeeper, John DiSalvatore, was injured and had to be carted off the field. The Radars’ backup goalkeeper Micheal Bergstrom stepped in, and the Radars wasted no time regaining momentum. Undeterred, the Radars poured on the juice, keeping constant pressure on the Bulldogs’ defense. Their next goal was a picture perfect arching shot that sailed over the Bulldogs’ defense and just beyond the outstretched fingertips of South Broward’s goalkeeper Jonathan Perez. Swish. Into the back of the net. St. Thomas regained the lead.
Once again, the Bulldogs needed to rally. And they did. With another well-placed corner kick from Velazco found its mark, landing in front of junior Jimmy Asprilla, who took his shot. This time the ball went into the Radars’ goal. 2-2.
“It was a corner kick from Velazco. The ball came down, and I just controlled it. I didn’t think twice, I just shot it, and it went through,” said Central Defensive Midfielder and SBHS junior Jimmy Aspirlla.
With time winding down and adrenaline surging, South Broward seized control, deftly maneuvering and passing the ball downfield and keeping it close to the Radars’ goal. At one point, four goal attempts were made in one play. None went in.
“If we kept making goals we would have been sure to win, but even then the outcome was perfect.” said Rodriguez.
Neither team could land the crucial goal, and at the sound of the whistle, referees called overtime.
Yet, two 10-minute overtimes didn’t yield a single goal. So, with arms draped over each other in solidarity, the two teams gathered in the middle of the field, as each began a series of penalty kicks. South Broward would shoot first. With Angelo Rodriguez stepping up and coolly slotting his shot past the Radars’ goalie.
And, so it continued, tit-for-tat, as St. Thomas shot two goals past South Browards’ goalie, and the Bulldogs landed two more goals.
Shot for shot, the teams traded goals, until St. Thomas took aim, Perez danced in front of the goal with anticipation and catapulted his body to the left, pushing it out with both hands.
The Bulldogs had the advantage now. Another South Broward player buried his shot. With the tension at its peak, as St. Thomas lined up again. For the second time, Perez guessed correctly. Another block. A win. The South Broward crowd gathered at the edge of the Radars bleachers as they exploded in celebration.
According to Velazco, this game changing save was no accident.
“Honestly, it was the coach’s signal for the keeper to go there,” he said. “We all, as a team, told him to back to the side. So, it was really special, and exciting to see it happen.”
The Bulldogs stripped of their jerseys, streaked across the field to revel in their victory with the fans. From Asprilla, winning this championship felt especially meaningful.
“This was special for me because this is my first year at this school, and I came here to win championships. That’s what we did,” said Asprilla.
