HS: Montverde captures MAST title

by Sheldon Shealer

January 17, 2015

MONTVERDE, Fla. – Montverde Academy (Montverde, Fla.) wrapped up a fifth straight undefeated season Saturday night, but not without a fight from Coppell (Coppell, Texas).

Andre Shinyashiki drilled a shot in the lower right corner in the 13^th minute, and that goal stood up as Montverde Academy edged Coppell 1-0 in the 4^th Annual Montverde Academy Soccer Tournament final.

While Montverde ran its undefeated streak to 117 matches, Saturday’s win marked a program first – a perfect season. The Eagles finished 21-0 and will top the SIMA FAB 50 winter boys soccer rankings for the third straight year and fourth time in five years.

In other MAST placement matches Saturday, Cathedral (Los Angeles, Calif.) took third with a 2-0 win over Hamilton (Chandler, Ariz.); Gulliver Prep mercy-ruled Auburndale (Auburndale, Fla.) 8-0 in the fifth-place match; and Alief Elsik (Houston, Texas) edged Melbourne (Melbourne, Fla.) 1-0 for seventh place.

The final between Montverde and Coppell featured a clash of styles. Montverde was athletically and technically superior, yet Coppell hung tough by playing long balls out of the back to a pair of dangerous forwards that put Montverde under pressure at times.

Montverde ramped up the pressure late in the second half and whistled a number of shots just wide or over the goal that would have put the match away.

To Coppell’s credit, the Cowboys tested Montverde’s back, and speedsters Colten Clark and Austin Michaelis both had chances that could have tied the match. Instead, their shots went straight to Montverde keeper Federico Barrios, who posted the shutout.

“We strive for excellence,” Montverde coach Mike Potempa said after the match. “We want to be the best we can be, and for them to go [perfect] was a treat for the kids. I’m very proud of all of them.”

“It’s amazing,” added Shinyashiki, who was named tournament MVP and winner of the Golden Boot following a five-goal performance in the event. “It shows hard work pays off. To not lose, not tie in my senior year … it’s amazing.”

The winning goal was set up by Caua Soares, as he played a long ball to the left flank for Lucas Fagotti. Fagotti gathered the pass, then created space between himself and the Coppell defender before sending a crossing pass to Shinyashiki near the top of the box, who settled and finished the play.

“Andre’s a killer,” Potempa said. “His goal was important. I thought we’d get a second goal, but it never came.”

While Coppell coach Chad Rakestraw was disappointed with a second straight second-place finish at the MAST, he quickly put the result in perspective.

“I’m proud of the boys’ effort,” he said. “Unfortunately, we couldn’t finish opportunities. We limited their opportunities pretty well until the last 10 minutes. … It’s early in our season and I think [they players] grew a ton this weekend.”

Coppell placed third at MAST in 2013 and went on to win the Texas 5A state title. Last year, the team was second and finished second in the Texas state tournament.

THIRD PLACE: Cathedral 2, Hamilton 0

In a battle of western powers, Cathedral used a pair of header goals by Jose Cano and Max Valdivia, both served up by back post crosses from Geovany Siliezar. UC Riverside commit Saul Reyes, a central defender, and keeper Kris Guerra provided strong performances as the California side posted its secon shutout in three matches in Florida.

FIFTH PLACE: Gulliver Prep 8, Auburndale 0

Andy Alvarez scored three goals and North Carolina commit Alexander Moztarzadeh added two as Gulliver routed Auburndale in a match that ended 10 minutes into the second half due to the eight-goal mercy rule. Gulliver led 7-0 at halftime.

SEVENTH PLACE: Alief Elsik 1, Melbourne 0

Sophomore Saul Amaya scored in the first half, leading Elsik to a victory in a meeting of two teams with almost no senior starters.

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

GK: Kris Guerra, Cathedral, Sr.

D: Griffin Jaska, Coppell, Sr.

D: Zack Lipman, Hamilton, Sr.

D: Saul Reyes, Cathedral, Sr. [UC Riverside]

D: Zack Waitman, Montverde, Sr.

F: Alexander Moztarzadeh, Gulliver Prep, Sr. [North Carolina]

MF: Leonardo Novaes, Montverde, Jr.

MF: Matheus Silva, Montverde, Sr. [Saint Louis]

F: Colten Clark, Coppell, Sr.