- November 27, 2024
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Rich Weber, the Flagler/Volusia Senior All-Star game’s event organizer and Matanzas soccer coach, walked off the pitch satisfied for all the seniors who participated in the event and got to showcase their skills for the last time in their high school uniforms Friday, Feb. 20, at the Indian Trails Sports Complex.
“I expected it [the game] to be good, and it far exceeded my expectations,” Weber said. “The level of play was good. Sometimes, when you get a lot of players in different areas, they don’t play the same styles, but it came together really quick.”
The Dark Uniforms beat the White Uniforms in a high-scoring 5-4 exhibition that was decided in the last five minutes.
Flagler Palm Coast’s Nate Monsanto put Dark on the board first with a goal in the first five minutes of the match. The Whites quickly responded with a goal by Taylor’s Christian Ramirez, but the Dark Uniforms led at halftime 4-1, after University’s Asair Casas, Spruce Creek’s Liam Tate and FPC’s Robby Ferguson netted goals.
Coming out the half, the White Uniforms stormed back to tie the game at 4-4, with three goals of the own from Spruce Creek’s Dylan Villalobos, DeLand’s Nate Bodger and Seabreeze’s Brooks Davis, who scored the goal of the night with a volley on a half turn.
“It was beautiful,” said Davis about his goal that excited everyone. “I was thinking, ‘This is it. This is the all-star game, my last game as a high school player,’ so I just ripped it. It was definitely the best goal I’ve ever scored.” Davis also mentioned how special this year was for him because the Sandcrabs were successful in Robert Wallace’s last year as Seabreeze’s principal.
In the waning minutes of the second half, all the players on the sidelines thought they’d see more action because, had the game finished 4-4 at the end of regulation, penalty kicks would’ve decided the outcome, but Tate was able to find the back of the net a second time to give the Dark Uniforms the victory.
“Both teams played really well, and it was fun,” said Mainland’s Zach Van Heusen. “They picked the coldest day, but it was definitely well worth it. They should continue with the game.”
“Being able to watch all the players at the same time brings all the talent to the light,” said FPC’s coach Reg Monsanto. “I’d like to see more press and more college coaches come out and watch these kids. There was a lot of talent out there, and coaches could get lucky and find a gem out here.”
Father Lopez head coach, Jon Kinsler, who was on the White Uniforms’ coaching staff, said, “I think it was very beneficial overall. A lot of the kids play as rivals, but they got to play as teammates, which made for a good game, and some of the players who play on the same team were split up, and it was fun for them to compete against each other.”
“I think it’s good exposure for kids who aren’t sure they want to play in college or not,” Kinsler added. “If we can get some more coaches out there and watch, maybe they can get noticed and further their playing careers.”
Players from Ormond Beach included: Zach Van Heusen (Main.), Alex Orlolani (Sea.), Edwin Fuentes (Sea.), Jacob Espittia (Sea.), Brooks Davis (Sea.), Collins Maude (F.L.), Doug Abate (F.L.), Carlos Metcalf (F.L.) and Matt Lafleur (F.L.).
Before and after match, the coaches talked about making the event a double header with boys’ and girls’ all-star games going forward.
