Santa Fe Boys Soccer Falls Short in State Semifinal
AUBURNDALE — The last chapter of Santa Fe’s storybook season was written Thursday in the 3A state semifinals. Boynton Beach Somerset Academy – Canyons scored three second-half goals for a 3-0 win.
On Feb. 10, it was penalty kicks that sent Santa Fe (14-5-3) on to the regional finals. On Thursday, it was a penalty kick in the 76th minute that ended the Raiders’ season at Lake Myrtle Sports Complex.
Cougars’ captain Emmanuel Colmenares was awarded the shot after a hard foul in the box where the Raiders desperately tried to keep their hopes alive. Santa Fe goalkeeper Hunter LaLonde guessed correctly on the shot, but the ball was placed outside of his reach.
The matchup was the first time either squad has reached the final four and the first meeting for the programs.
“We didn’t come out of here with a win, but we’re walking out of here with our heads held high,” Santa Fe coach Morgan Dall’Acqua said.
The game went scoreless for the first 48 minutes, until Gabriel Abadia broke through for Somerset – Canyons (16-2-2), with another goal following in the 66th minute. The Cougars shut out Santa Fe for the first time since the Raiders faced the top team in the nation, New Orleans Jesuit, on Jan. 9.
“We were just never able to gain control in the center third of the field,” Dall’Acqua said. “That’s really what we rely on in having our midfield to build up that attack.”
Somerset was able to control possession from the beginning of the match, putting up two close shots in the first two minutes. The Cougars outshot the Raiders 25-10 by the time the final whistle sounded.
“Good teams find a way to punish you, and I feel like in the second half, they were able to punish us on some stuff,” Dall’Acqua said.
The game marked the end of the Raiders seniors’ high school careers. Although the team’s top two scorers Wayne Boone and Dharma Rico are graduating, there are many key players set to return to Alachua in the winter.
“As far as I’m concerned, tomorrow starts the [new] season, so those boys need to make the decision,” Dall’Acqua said. “Are they going to feel this way next year? Or are they going to get their butts outside and get the work in?”
The final whistle also marked the end of a season that will be enshrined in Santa Fe sports history. The 2026-27 season presents another opportunity for the program to rewrite the history books once again.
“I believe with the quality of players that we have over there in that locker room, we’ll be back in Auburndale next year,” Dall’Acqua said. “ It won’t be unfamiliar territory for us. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
2026 Boys Soccer State Championship Tournament Class 3A Tournament
Category: High School Sports, Santa Fe High School
