Perfect again
Seminole caps 31-0 season with second undefeated state title in three years
MIAMI — For the second time in three years, Seminole proved it is a dominant force in the state, defeating West Orange 8-4 to win the FHSAA state water polo championship at Belen Jesuit Preparatory School.
The victory capped a perfect 31-0 season and marked the program’s second undefeated title run in three years.
Seminole controlled the match from the opening whistle, building an early lead behind seniors Halle Zimlich and Vivian Swain. Zimlich opened the scoring late in the first quarter with the first of her two goals. Swain followed with 1:35 remaining, and Zimlich added another before the end of the period to give the Seminoles a 3-0 lead. Swain finished with four goals in the final.
The second quarter proved decisive as Swain converted on consecutive 5-meter penalty opportunities, extending the lead to 5-0 at halftime.
“The movement offensively was the key to drawing the penalty shots,” Seminole coach Ryan Ackerson said. “They ran the offensive plays with great discipline and detail, which was an emphasis all season, so we were happy to see that.”
Ackerson said the physical nature of the match was expected.
“That’s just how it goes when you have two teams fighting for a state title,” he said. “Our girls had experienced it before, so they were ready.”
West Orange cut the deficit to three early in the third quarter, but Seminole responded behind strong defense and timely scoring. Goalkeeper Julia Pando anchored the effort with key saves as the Seminoles maintained control throughout the second half.
“Our whole game plan defensively revolved around Julia playing well and she exceeded expectations,” Ackerson said. “We were a few defensive mistakes away from her getting a shutout today. She was huge for us today. The other girls helped her out as well with outstanding defensive effort.”
Pando (pictured above) finished with eight saves and a steal. On the season, she recorded 198 saves and four assists.
In the semifinal, a 20-9 win over St. Thomas Aquinas, Zimlich and Swain combined for 12 goals. For the season, Swain led the team with 115 goals, 87 assists and 40 steals, while Zimlich added 94 goals, 41 assists and 64 steals.
With Zimlich and Swain graduating, Ackerson acknowledged the challenge ahead.
“I don’t know if it’s possible to truly have a replacement for those two, for more reasons than just their playing ability,” he said. “But other girls have to and will step up during the offseason. We are expecting a big freshman class this next year with girls who will be hungry to keep developing.”
However, the Seminoles return a solid core of players who now have at least two — and in some cases three — trips to the state finals, keeping the program’s outlook strong.
Juniors Raelynn Bouley contributed one goal, two assists, one steal and drew two exclusions in the final. Abigail Coleman added a goal, while Gabby Pierson had two steals and drew an exclusion. Naia Hair recorded two steals and finished the season third on the team in scoring with 77 goals.
