Patriots holding their own on the pitch so far

By Roger Lee

Contributing Writer

 

North Charleston – There is something different about this year’s Fort Dorchester Boys Soccer varsity squad.

Just more than half of the team’s roster is comprised of returning varsity lettermen and the rest of players are coming up from the JV.

“We have a blend of a lot of juniors and seniors and a few underclassmen,” Fort Dorchester coach Neil Veloso said. “We have a lot of the same guys we had last season, but we have a bit of a different personality that I kind of attribute to maturity and experience. We know what 5A soccer is all about so there is a comfort level on the field.”

The Patriots went 2-1 in the Charleston Soccer Shootout preseason tournament, defeating Waccamaw and Stall but losing in penalty kicks to Philip Simmons. They opened their regular season March 4 with a 1-0 victory over Berkeley and followed that with a 3-1 win over Goose Creek.

The Fort lost to Wando March 11, but bounced back to tie Stratford 2-2 March 14 to take their record to 4-2-1.

The team’s most experienced players are seniors Rudy Aguilar and Andrew Smith, both team captains who were on the team in 2022 when the Patriots made the Elite 8 round of the state playoffs. Aguilar has experience at various positions and will likely often be featured in the team’s attack. Smith is a defender.

Senior defender Braxton Kates is the third captain and a returning letterman. Joining the trio to help form the spine of the team’s lineup is midfielder Russell Saravia-Palma who is up from JV this season.

“They have a lot of talent around them and our midfield is strong,” Veloso said.

Senior goalkeeper Finn Baltgalvis has been with the team for two years. He is getting healthy competition between the posts from newcomer Rafael Gusmao.

Other returning lettermen include Gabe Arantes, Josh Perdomo, Erinn Avila, Ryan Scogin, Emir Moran-Sanchez, Joseph Ramirez Sanchez, Manny Florez Giraldo, Eric Mittag, Logan Horvath and Landon Davis.

Others new to the varsity squad include Lucas Agudelo, Cesar Avila, John Catlett-Fernandez, Lucas Helferich, Daniel Pena, Sebastian Perozo, Tinsley Scogin, Jeffe Verdugo, Josias Villacis and Julian Zarao.

“I feel really good about this team,” Veloso said. “They have a uniqueness about them as a group. They just have a good connection and it has translated in competition. They are perfectly ok with rooting each other on and with their roles so far.”

Assisting Veloso in coaching the team this season are Pablo Valenzuela, Andrew Veloso, Josh Veloso and Spencer Wilder.

The Patriots will play a tough schedule including region matches against Ashley Ridge, James Island, Summerville, West Ashley and Stall. Fort opens region play March 18 at West Ashley. The Patriots’ next home match is scheduled for 7 p.m. March 21 when they host cross-town rival Ashley Ridge.

Winter honors

Fort Dorchester senior Richard Springs captured his fourth straight individual state wrestling championship Feb. 22.

Springs claimed a 21-8 major decision over Goose Creek’s Mekye Nelson in the 5A 126-pound weight class championship match. During the past three individual state tournaments, the Fort grappler claimed a state title at 120, 113 and 106. He now joins the elite group of wrestlers who never lost at the state tournament during their four trips there

During the girls’ state wrestling championships, Fort Dorchester’s Ceanna Owen placed fourth after losing by a 6-3 decision to Ella Shepphard of Conway.

Fort Dorchester junior Maricious Dawson was named to the 5A Region 8 Boys Basketball All-Region Team. The guard averaged 12.6 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.8 steals per game this season.