The Gulliver Prep Raiders knew the task against the Bolles Bulldogs would be difficult in the FHSAA Class 2-A state championship game.
Nevertheless, they hoped to pull off an upset. They nearly did just that.
However, experience proved to be too much, as senior Suneel Madaliar struck the game-winner in the second half to give the Bulldogs the title they had played for all season long.
After back-to-back semifinal losses the past two seasons, the Bulldogs felt that this would be their year to win it all. And that proved to be true.
It was Bolles’ first state soccer title since 2009, and the run was fueled by 14 seniors.
“This is a goal that we’ve had not just this year, but our whole high school careers, said Mudaliar. ‘We’ve always wanted to get a state championship. There’s nothing better to end our careers.
Mudaliar’s goal came off a rebound of a shot ripped by Adam Demetree that was knocked down by Gullivar Prep goalkeeper Esteban Spetnitzky.
“I just happened to be at the right place at the right time,” said Mudaliar.
The shutout was the 22nd of the season for the Bulldogs, who finished 26-3-0 on the year. Demetree, a senior, led the team in scoring with 44 goals and 10 assists, while another senior, Jay Bolt, had 25 assists to go along with 16 goals.
Gulliver finished the season 19-3-3, and had a more difficult run to the final than did Bolles.
The Raiders won by one goal against Delray Beach American Heritage, 3-2, in the second round, and then was taken to overtime by Ranson Everglades before coming out with a 2-1 victory.
Against Bolles, Gulliver Prep went down a player when junior midfielder Jesus Bolivar received a first-half red-card, forcing the Raiders to play with only 10 players the rest of the game.
A difficult task against a team with 14 talented seniors became even more difficult!