No. 1-ranked Mater Dei opened its highschool soccer season on Saturday in Florida trying each bit nearly as good as final season when the Monarchs went unbeaten regardless of numerous errors within the second half.
New quarterback Ryan Hopkins threw three landing passes within the second quarter en path to a 26-23 victory over Ft. Lauderdale Aquinas, which has gained six straight Florida state titles. Chris Henry Jr. caught two of them, protecting 22 and 82 yards. Gavin Honore had a 62-yard landing reception.
Mater Dei scored 26 consecutive factors after falling behind 3-0 within the first quarter. They led 26-3 at halftime. However the Monarchs went scoreless within the second half.
The Monarchs had been hardly good, leaving coach Raul Lara loads to work on. That they had two interceptions within the first half that ended with turnovers on fumbles throughout the returns. Twice the Monarchs botched point-after makes an attempt. There have been quite a few 15-yard private foul penalties for taunting, late hits, grabbing the face masks and a horse collar. That they had 13 penalties for 140 yards via three quarters.
The protection did what it has been doing properly for years — stopping the run. USC commit Tomuhini Topui had a sack and Shaun Scott, one other USC commit, was including stress on the linebacker place. Danny Lang led the secondary with two move breakups.
Aquinas had fourth and aim from the one-yard line to begin the fourth quarter and failed on a fumble attempting to run up the center to chop a 26-10 deficit. However Hopkins was quickly intercepted. Aquinas scored on a quarterback possibility play by Mason Mallory to shut to inside 26-16 with 9:44 left. Then it was 26-23 on a landing move with 1:36 left till Mater Dei ran out the clock.
Hopkins completed with 272 yards passing. Henry had 4 catches for 134 yards.
The Monarchs subsequent make their house debut on Friday in a sport that can doubtless lead to a working clock. They face Bishop Montgomery, which misplaced 5 transfers to ineligibility.
Mater Dei was considered one of three Trinity League groups opening in Florida. St. John Bosco gained 31-0 on Friday night time in a sport halted at halftime due to lightning. There was additionally lightning for Mater Dei’s sport that delayed the beginning by one hour.
Orange Lutheran made it a Trinity League sweep in Florida with a 17-13 win over Miami Northwestern. Reagan Loki threw two landing passes to Nico Bland.
Three different Trinity League groups — Santa Margarita, JSerra and Servite — all misplaced nonleague openers on Friday.
