Written + Photo by: Samantha Roseff
Palm Beach Central Varisty boy’s soccer team finished last at the end of the regular season, going 0-5-2 against district competitors, but that hasn’t stopped them. Meanwhile across town, Wellington High School finished 2nd, going 2-0-2, which gave them a bye week.
In the quarterfinals, PBC beat Lake Worth 3-2 in overtime, moving them on to the semi-finals. Which brings us to last nights’ face off, PBC vs Wellington. These teams are the ultimate town rivals, less than 6 miles apart from each other where the athletes have grown up together. They attended the same elementary or middle schools and some even played on club teams together. Yet, this game marked the 3rd time these teams have faced off for 2025 season. The first game ended in a tie, and 2 weeks ago, Wellington won 2-0.
Walking into enemy territory, the Broncos have never been more eager to win.
Wellingtons, Ocean Alizo, quickly scored, but the Broncos were right behind as Jabari Roy scored. This is when the game completely changed. The WHS starting goalie had to be taken out due to an injury. PBC saw a chance and took it with Alden Ferrer scoring the second goal. However, once Jacob Stafford got the ball, he tied the game. It is now 2-2 going into half-time.
Just minutes into the second half, Edian Diaz extended the lead to 3-2 for Central. For the next 30 minutes, the game went back and forth, with penalties, fouls, missed goals, saves, and steals. In the last 10 minutes, Jakob Stafford got the ball again, sending the game into overtime.
Overtime is simple. There are two, 10 minute halves, with the same rules as regular time. Even if one team scores, both teams continue to play until no time is left.
At the beginning of overtime, the game went back and forth just like before, with the players on both sides fighting to play just one more game. Oliver Wasiewski, scored late in the first half for Wellington. In the last few minutes, WHS fouled on Jabari Roy, giving Edian Diaz the opportunity to kick a penalty in order to send the game in to a shoot out. And just like that, the game moved on to a sudden death shoot out.
A soccer shootout is a little more complex. Each team selects 5 players to take a shot against the opposing goaltender at the 12-yard line. The team that scores the most goals with 5 chances wins.
Prior to the shootout, both team goalies and captains met in the center of the field for one last coin flip. Palm Beach Centrals very own, Mateo Vergara called heads and won the toss. He decided that PBC would kick first.
Mateo Vergara (PBC) set up and made it, then Jacob Stafford (WHS) scored, Giancarlos Solarte (PBC) scored, Colin Brown (WHS) scored, Arlen Ferrer (PBC) scored, Garrett Mitchell (WHS) scored, Jabari Roy (PBC) scored, and then the game changed. Jayden Rios, the central goaltender, made a save.
It is now 4-3 in the shootout. The game is now all on Edian Diaz for the Broncos. If he does, they win. If he misses, then Wellington has another shot to tie the game. The PBC sideline and stands were dead silent. You could hear a pin drop, as they knew this kick would make or break the game. Edian set up, waited for the whistle, kicked right and got it to the back of the net. For the first time this year, the Broncos have beaten their rivals.
Now on January 29th, Central moves on to play against John I Leonard in the district finals. This is yet another team the they have not beaten during the season. But never count out the Broncos, it’s never over until the clock hits zero.
