Soaring Soccer

Jesuit High School soccer is one of the most historically successful sports programs in Florida, including six state championships, and the Tigers are heading down the homestretch of another outstanding season.

Head coach Eric Sims ’95, in his third season, has led Jesuit to a 15-1-2 record, including most recently a 4-0 win Tuesday (Jan. 5) at Tampa Prep.

(Homepage photo: Sims points the way for Connar Lufkin '16 and Benny Ortiz '17 during a Dec. 22 win over Bishop Kenny.) 

Heading into Saturday’s Senior Night game vs. St. Petersburg Catholic at Corral Memorial Stadium (ceremony at 5:30pm, game at 6:00), Jesuit is ranked No. 20 in the nation and No. 8 in the state (all classifications), according to MaxPreps.com.

Central defender Noah Kurtz ’18 and goalkeeper Tim Gyenis ’17 have backstopped a defense that is yielding less than a goal per outing, surrendering just 16 in 18 matches.

Connar Lufkin ’16 anchors the midfield, with 8 goals and 4 assists, alongside Jeffrey Kujawa ’17, who leads the squad with 12 assists.

The Jesuit attack, averaging 3.5 goals a match, has been extremely balanced. Only Benny Ortiz ’17, with a team-high 15 goals, has netted 10 or more, but another seven Tigers have 4 or more goals, including Royce Pope ’17 (5 goals, 8 assists), Jake Collins ’17 (7 goals), Nathan Egli ’17 (7 goals), and Joel Brewer ’18 (7 goals).

After the Senior Night match, Jesuit, which has clinched the top seed in the District tournament, travels next week to a match at North Port. The Tigers finish the regular season Jan. 14-16 in one of the nation’s most prestigious prep soccer events, the Montverde (Fla.) Academy Soccer Tournament, where Jesuit will face top-ranked teams from across the country, including an opening match against Cathedral High from Los Angeles.

The District Tournament will be played at Spoto from Jan. 19-22. Jesuit has captured the District title 29 of the past 31 seasons.

The photo slideshow below is from the 3-1 win over Bishop Kenny on Dec. 22: