The first regular-season playing date for the FHSAA soccer season doesn’t begin until next week.
But on Saturday, Keystone Heights will host the 21st annual Twin Lakes Pre-Season Classic featuring 10 area girls and boys soccer teams.
“It has grown from four teams to 16 teams over the years,” said Keystone Heights boys soccer coach Trevor Waters. “This year, I tried to match teams up with other teams that they were not playing in the regular season. I also added last year, and it continues this year, a total of four girls teams, which enables our Keystone girls to play in a preseason match because they have never played in one.”
Both Santa Fe (Alachua) teams will also participate.
“I look forward to the Keystone Classic every season because it gives our coaches and players the chance to check our status without much risk,” said Santa Fe boys soccer coach Morgan Dall’Acqua, a 2-time All Area Coach of the Year selection. “The fact that as many teams, with a lot of structural differences, keep coming back season after season, is a true testament to what Coach Waters has built over there in Keystone.”
The Raiders, who won the Class 3A-District 4 title last year and advanced to FHSAA Class 3A-Region 1 Semifinals, will face Williston at 10:40 a.m., followed by Bolles (Jacksonville) at 5:20 p.m.
“Getting the chance to see a strong Williston team, and their fast-paced approach, and then Bolles, with their methodical build-up and possessiveness, all in one day, should be a pretty solid representation of our first two weeks of our season,” Dall’Acqua said.
Shawn Kowatch enters his first season as head coach of the Lady Raiders.
“I’m honored to be the new head coach for the Santa Fe Lady Raiders soccer team,” Kowatch said. “Women’s soccer has always been a passion of mine, and I’m excited to share that love for the game with this incredible group of players. We have a great team of young women who are not only talented but also committed to representing our school and community with pride.”
Kowatch said this season his “focusing on teamwork, growth, and bringing positive energy both on and off the field.”
“I also want to help get the community and our younger girls excited about soccer and show them what it means to be part of the Lady Raiders family,” he said. “I’m excited to see this team come together, support one another, and make Santa Fe and our local community proud.”
The Lady Raiders finished 5-12 last year but still advanced to the Class 3A state playoffs after a 2-0 win against Eastside in the 3A-District 4 championship game.
“This is our first time participating in the pre-season classic, and we’re thrilled for the opportunity,” Kowatch said. “It’s a great chance for our Lady Raiders to experience quality competition, grow as a team, and set the tone for the season. The ladies have been working hard, and we’re excited to see that effort on the field.”
The Williston girls, who finished 12-5 last season, will play Santa Fe at 5:20 p.m.
“Williston girls soccer is excited to be playing in the Preseason Classic tomorrow in Keystone,” said Williston coach Carrie Murphy. “It’s a great opportunity to work things out before the season begins.”
The Lady Red Devils, who will also play Palatka at 9:20 a.m., lost to Newberry in overtime in last year’s 2A-District 3 tournament but still advanced to the Class 2A state playoffs as an at-large team.
“We are looking forward to a great season being led by our only senior, midfielder Julia Murphy, along with our other midfield players, all juniors — Angie Reyes, Alondra Bautista, and Sarah Hughes. These four play extremely well together,” said Carrie Murphy
The Columbia (Lake City) boys will play Eastside at 9:20 a.m., followed by a match against Bolles (Jacksonville) at 1:20 p.m.
“Columbia is in a rebuilding year, having graduated six starting seniors last season,” said Columbia head coach Edward Turner. “In addition, we took a massive injury hit to what would have been a four-year starter in Cayden Weatherspoon, who is suffering an ACL injury.”
The Tigers returned four starters from last year’s 10-4-3 team, which lost to Clay (Green Cove Springs) in the Class 5A-District 3 semifinals.
“We’re optimistic and the players will be ready,” Turner said.
The Keystone Heights boys, who finished 11-7-3 last year and earned a spot in the 3A state playoffs, will face Clay, while the Oak Hall boys will play Palatka in the first games of the day at 8 a.m.
The entry fee is $10 per person for two matches. Fans can pay online at https://gofan.co/app/school/FL… or pay cash at the gate.
“It is a great event in that the games do not count on the record, so you can play a lot of players, move players around position-wise, and try some new things,” Waters said. “The referees can train, and it’s always a fun day at Twin Lakes Park before you start the grind of the new season.”
Schedule for Saturday, Nov. 1, at Keystone Heights
Home Team listed first
35-minute halves (5-minute half-time and 5 minutes between games)
Field # 1- Next to Parking Lot
Game #2 – Keystone Heights vs. Clay (Green Cove Springs), 8 a.m.
Game #4 – Columbia (Lake City) vs. Eastside, 9:20 a.m.
Game #6 – Nease (Ponte Vedra) vs. Crescent City, 10:40 a.m.
Game #8 – Clay (Green Cove Springs) vs. Oak Hall, noon
Game #10 – Bolles (Jacksonville) vs. Columbia (Lake City), 1:20 p.m.
Game #12 – Eastside vs. Keystone Heights, 2:40 p.m.
Game #14 – Crescent City vs. Gainesville, 4 p.m.
Game #16 – Santa Fe (Alachua) vs. Bolles (Jacksonville), 5:20 p.m.
Field # 2- Behind Field #1
Game #1 – Oak Hall vs. Palatka, 8 a.m.
Game #3 – Williston Girls vs. Palatka Girls, 9:20 a.m.
Game #5 – Williston vs. Santa Fe (Alachua), 10:40 a.m.
Game #7 – Keystone Heights Girls vs. Santa Fe (Alachua) Girls, noon
Game #9 – Gainesville vs. Nease (Ponte Vedra), 1:20 p.m.
Game #11 – Palatka vs. Williston, 2:40 p.m.
Game #13 – Palatka Girls vs. Keystone Heights Girls, 4 p.m.
Game#15 – Santa Fe (Alachua) Girls vs. Williston Girls, 5:20 p.m.