Dade Christian wins 12th district title in row

from Miami Herald

Winning a district championship can be a daunting task in any high school sport, but don't tell that to the Dade Christian girls' soccer team.

The Crusaders won their 12th consecutive District 15-2A title Friday with a 2-1 victory against Westminster Christian.

For more than a decade the Crusaders have dominated their district with a combination of experienced players and strong incoming classes.

This season has been no different -- the Crusaders returned with a strong core of sophomores and juniors that have united under coach Jorge Granda and are ready to make a run deep into the postseason.

Somewhat unusual for the Crusaders, three of their best defenders are eighth graders, and the team doesn't have any seniors in the starting lineup.

''The girls have come together and are playing as a team,'' Granda said. ``There's no quarreling between the older and younger girls. They know their position on the team.''

Dade Christian has also enjoyed having eight club players on their roster as opposed to one or two club players in the past.

The world of youth soccer can be split into two seasons -- the high school season and the club season. For many club players, once their high school season finishes they face a grueling club season.

''[Club players] bring a lot of experience,'' Granda said. 'Those kids are playing 12 months out of the year and help to elevate the other girls' games, and they help improve the team.''

One of the club players who has helped Dade Christian continue its dominance is junior forward Adriana Perez. Perez, who broke her nose the last game of the regular season, scored both Crusaders goals in their district final win over Westminster Christian.

Perez, who has been playing soccer since she was 5, enjoys her role as a leader and likes t the team's chances in the playoffs.

''Since I'm one of the oldest I have to be a leader, and we have to mentor [the younger players],'' Perez said. ``We've come together well. We're young but we have experience. I think we can make it far, we just have to play to the level that we can.''