- April 18, 2024
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The Matanzas Lady Pirates soccer team is led by second-year coach Tony Benvenuto. Four seniors are on the team.
The Matanas High School girls soccer team is led by Tony Benvenuto, who will be coaching the Lady Pirates for the second season. Benvenuto made the switch after coaching the boys team.
Matanzas finished last season with a 12-10-2 record, losing in the conference championship to Creekside, 1-0. The story was the same in the district tournament, as Creekside knocked off Matanzas, 1-0, in the district semifinals.
The Lady Pirates lost two seniors — Sarah Carey, who is playing at Rollins, and Victoria Ecker, who is playing at St. Leo.
Matanzas’ district includes eight teams, which makes it more difficult to make it out of the district and into the state playoffs, Benvenuto said.
The Lady Pirates will primarily run a 4-2-3-1 formation, which should improve the team’s ball control and defense.
“We will play different formations, though,” Benvenuto said. “I usually look at the other teams and adjust to their style, strengths and formation.”
Seniors Leana Lourenco, Taylor Haire and Tshai Payne will lead the team this season, along with juniors Alyssa Santos, Stephanie Giminez and Danica Leili. Sophomore Gabie Paiz made First-Team All-Area last season and fellow sophomores Michelle Dominguez, Abby Barker and Gabie Foran also will be on the varsity team.
“We don’t have much depth,” Benvenuto said, adding that he has some key players out with injury. “But we are hoping to compete for a state playoff spot.”
The biggest challenge for the Lady Pirates, though, will be the goalkeeper position. Benvenuto started nine different players in goal last season.
“We have been working a couple of volleyball players, and I think they are capable of doing a good job,” he said.
POCKET SCHEDULE
• 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 8, @ Bartram Trail
• 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 10, @ Flagler Palm Coast
• 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 15, @ Clay
• 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 16, against Fleming Island
• 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 22, against Ponte Vedra
• 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 29, against Creekside
• 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2, @ Spruce Creek
• 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 6, against Pedro Menendez
• 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 7, @ Palatka
• 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 9, @ Nease
• 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 13, @ St. Augustine
• 7 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14, against Seabreeze
• 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, against Flagler Palm Coast
• 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3, against Nease
• 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 5, @ Pedro Menendez
• 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6, against Mount Dora
• 7 p.m. Monday, Jan. 9, against DeLand
