Finishing the Job

Maclay Soccer Wins the 2025 FHSAA 2A Boys Soccer State Championship

Photo courtesy Maclay School via Instagram

On Saturday, March 1, the Maclay Marauders had their biggest game of the season ahead of them. After a four hour drive to Deland, the Marauders had the opportunity to become the 2A soccer state champions in Florida. After taking down the Tampa Prep Terrapins, the only team stopping the Marauders was the Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy Tigers. Both the Marauders and the Tigers were ranked top 20 nationally before the game started. However, after an extremely tough battle, the Marauders took down the Tigers and won the state championship 3-1.

“The best part was definitely hearing the final whistle in the state championship,” junior Santi Nunez said. “It felt so surreal because we had worked so hard to get there, and it was hard to believe it was actually happening. It was very rewarding seeing the pride in all our coaches’ faces after we won.”

The Marauders had walked into Deland ready to handle business. The team’s defense had to be solid, while the offense needed to have the same power like they did against Tampa Prep. In the first half the Marauders were able to take an early lead quickly, senior Zac Scovotto buried a penalty kick to take the lead 1-0. After that the offensive attack did not stop for the Marauders, with senior Jack Daunt scoring another goal bringing the lead to 2-0. The Marauders defense was amazing in the first half, being held down by senior Colin Edwards, senior Josh Ryland de Koloet, junior Tyson Willet and junior goalkeeper Elias Strickland. Even though Holy Trinity Episcopal did score in the second half, it was quickly cancelled out by junior Luke Daunt taking the lead to 3-1. After a few more tough minutes, the whistle was blown and the Marauders won the state championship.

“The best part was getting to play with the seniors one last time,” junior Max Colon said. “I'm excited for the next chapter, and to have one more last ride with my friends while making a lifelong memory.”

Scovotto led the team with 34 goals in the season. Following him was L. Daunt who also scored an incredible 31 goals. Though L. Daunt and Scovotto scored a lot of goals, senior Barnes Ray’s four goals against Episcopal in the regional final gave Maclay a lot of momentum heading to the state finals.

Along with superior offensive play shown by the Marauders, their efforts were helped by junior goalies Colon and Strickland. Colon only allowed nine goals all season and played in 22 games before his season was stopped short after getting injured against Tampa Prep in the state semi-finals. This meant Strickland had to play stellar in the state championship, which is exactly what he did. After only allowing one goal in the state final, Strickland’s play along with goals from both Scovotto and L. Daunt, along with his brother J. Daunt, led the Marauders to their win.

“The best part was winning the state championship,” Ray said. “It was extremely rewarding to get the medal and trophy after all of our hard work this season.”

The Marauders had a spectacular season and is a season that will never be forgotten. Now, the Marauders are getting ready for next season where they hope to repeat as state champions with rising seniors Nunez, L. Daunt, Zach Ghazvini, Willet and Colon.