Our boys gave it everything they had, holding PHU scoreless through 40 minutes.  PHU proved a little too tough in the end.  We wish them well in the State Championship Series.  Click the link above for a full breakdown of the game.

In a very close battle that involved early goals by both teams, Alonso pulled off the upset over the #4 seed Venice Indians with a 3-1 victory.  The Ravens scored two goals in the second half and held the Indians scoreless after their early goal to clinch the win.  This is the first time in 18 years that the Ravens have won a Regional Quarterfinal game.  This has been a season to remember for the Ravens, who after this game, stood two games from the State Semifinals.  Just two years ago, such a notion would have been considered impossible.  These boys have worked so hard and pulled together so beautifully over the last two years.  Next up, the Ravens play Palm Harbor University, proving that Class 7A, Region 3 is truly the group of death.    

For the first time since 2012, Alonso won a district game, beating Plant 2-0 in exciting fashion.  Alonso's Sky King was given a red card in the second half with 24 minutes remaining.  That red card was later rescinded during the appeals process, but Alonso still had to stave off a relentless 11 on 10 attack from Plant.  Ultimately, the boys prevailed.  Their reward was a rematch of last year's district semifinal and regional quarterfinal games against Palm Harbor.  The result was the same as last year's regional quarterfinal -  a 6-0 blowout loss.  Still, the Ravens held hope that they would not fall too far considering their win against highly ranked Plant and the fact that PHU was the #1 team in the nation at the time of their defeat.  FHSAA's ranking algorithm came through strong, awarding the Ravens a #5 seed Class 7A, Region 3.  This is the Ravens' highest seeding since 2008.  The Ravens travel to Venice to meet the #4 seed on February 6, 2026.  

All that was left after an incredibly tough battle against Newsome was fog rolling over Alonso's field.  After losing 6-0 last year to Newsome, our boys fought from a one goal deficit this year to pull out a thrilling 2-1 victory against the then-42nd ranked team in the state.  Newsome is a powerhouse team each year and this year is no exception.  We expect them to go a long way in the state championship series starting in a few weeks, so we are incredibly proud of this effort.  Just before the winter break, Alonso squeezed out a 1-1 draw against Bloomingdale after losing 2-0 to Plant (on two PKs).  The Ravens currently stand at 7-3-1 with three tough games left before Districts!  Can the Ravens get to double digit wins on the season?  Stay tuned to find out.  Go Ravens!

With one goal losses to Gaither (11.18.25) and Calvary Christian (11.20.25) over the span of three days, it has been a hard week going into the fall break.  We had golden opportunities in both games, but the Calvary game really hurt.  We hit the post in the Calvary game early, missed a short range shot 10 seconds into the second half and missed a tough one on one with the keeper midway through the second half.  We just couldn't find the net.  Then, with about 6 minutes remaining, an unlucky clearance by Alonso deflected off a player into the right side of the box causing our keeper, Freshman Heitor Da Silva, to have to come out and try to get the ball.  As he slid for the ball, his slide got the ball, but it also got the Calvary player from behind causing a late PK.  Da Silva then saved the initial PK attempt, but the ball rebounded right to the shooter who was barely able to squeak it past a diving Da Silva.  One thing is for certain, Alonso does not play in boring games this year.  One more game against Blake to hopefully right the ship before the fall break. 

The Ravens have come out of the gate firing.  They defeated a very tough Sickles team in their regular season opener and then had two come from behind victories against Robinson and Steinbrenner to start the season 3-0.  This comes on the heals of the Ravens winning the 2nd Annual Chamberlain Preseason Classic in late October.  This is the first time the Ravens have started 3-0 since at least 2005 (the MaxPreps records stop at the 06-07 season).  Stay tuned! 

Those who are interested in getting a jump on the 2025-26 season, you can now start taking the required NFHS courses (all courses must be dated 5/1/25 or later).  You should also be aware that there is an updated EL2 form (for your yearly physical) that must be dated 2/25 in the upper right hand corner.  More to come on that later, but generally, you should make sure not to make these mistakes when completing your paperwork.

Captain Reid Holt and Captain Johan Murillo were named to the first team while Captain Lucas Moreno was named to the second team.  Coach Wilson was named Coach of the Year for the American Division.  This is an honorary all-star list (and a great one at that).  There is no game that takes place involving these players.  Congratulations!

1/31/25 - For the first time since 2008, Alonso Boys Soccer received a bid to the State Championships.  This incredible achievement is a huge step forward for this program.  Their opponent, once again, is Palm Harbor University.  

Our Captain and incredible goalkeeper of four years suffered a devastating injury on Wednesday, January 8, 2025, in the first few minutes of the game against Steinbrenner, ending his Senior season and career at Alonso prematurely.  Steinbrenner's forward collided with Reid, hitting Reid squarely in the jaw with his knee.  Reid was rushed to St. Joseph's hospital and the x-rays taken there revealed multiple fractures to his jaw.  Fortunately, his surgery went well, but he was unable to eat solid foods for a month.  Reid showed up to all of the games after the surgery with his mouth wired shut just to support the team.  He is the consummate team player and was a great example of what a captain should be.

Reid is also one of the best goalkeepers in the county, if not the state.  He has unbelievable reflexes and rocket shots stick to his hands like nobody we've ever seen before.  He almost never allows a rebound.  His goals against average this season is an incredible .602.  He did not allow more than two goals against him in any game all season and notched 7 clean sheets in 12 games played.  No team scored on Reid between the second half against Plant on November 19, 2024, and the second half against Freedom on January 7, 2025, a period spanning over 400 minutes of game time.   

In honor of Reid's amazing performance over the last four years, his unwavering dedication to this team and the fearless sacrifice of his body for the Alonso Ravens, the coaching staff is "retiring" his number "00."  It is not an official "retirement" in that the jersey number won't be hung from rafters in the gym or painted on the side of a wall, but we as coaches will not have another player wearing that number again as long as the current coaching staff is in place (absent emergency situations).  Thank you Reid for your dedication to the Ravens and get better soon.  We know that if anyone could take a hit like that and recover, it is you.

You should have all gotten a link to view your individual and the team photos.  Please e-mail Coach Matt if you need the link again.

Chamberlain Classic Recap- 10/28/24-10/30/24

Alonso Ties Robinson in Final of Chamberlain Classic

The Ravens took on a young Chamberlain team on Monday night (10/28) at Chamberlain's beautiful stadium to open each teams' preseason campaigns.  Both teams fought hard and got some quality playing time for their experienced players and newcomers.  The Ravens notched the victory, but Chamberlain should be proud of the team they have.  Showing their never-die nature, Chamberlain would go on to have an incredible 3-2 come-from-behind victory against Armwood in the 3rd place game on Wednesday night (10/30).  

Alonso played Robinson in the finals after the exciting Chamberlain/Armwood match.  The finals were just as exciting as the game that preceded it as both the Ravens and the Knights played as if this game was for the district championship.  Robinson took the lead, 1-0, with a great shot to the right upper 90 midway through the second half.  A few minutes later, Lucas Moreno drew a penalty in the box for the Ravens and Johan Murillo knocked in the game-tying PK.  On the ensuing kick-off, Alonso quickly stole the ball and Tyler Truong then knocked it to Miguel Da Silva who drove through a seam in the defense and slid a ball past the outstretched arms of the Robinson keeper.  The 2-1 lead lasted about 15 seconds as Robinson almost immediately drew a PK in the box and knocked in the game tying goal.  The game finished 2-2 with all four goals being scored in a matter of minutes in an incredibly exciting second half.

The Ravens want to thank Chamberlain and its coach, Miguel Ruiz, for putting on this great preseason tourney and hope that we get invited back next year. 

This year, players and parents signed a code of conduct.  In case you happen to forget what you agreed to, click the photo to see a full copy.  

Players are required to pay a Team Fee of $100.  This helps fund practice jerseys, team meals, booster membership and Veo subscriptions.  The link for the team fee is here:

https://square.link/u/eW7OEIaH 

If you cannot afford to pay, please contact the coach immediately.