- November 7, 2025
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Time to lace up the cleats. Whistles are at the ready. Sweat to be shed.
Soccer is back and soon to be at full tilt. The FHSAA regular season officially begins Nov. 3, but practices have been underway as early as Oct. 13.
Here are storylines to watch among Sarasota-area teams as the season gets going.
Cardinal Mooney boys (11-7-2 in 2024-25, reached 3A regional quarterfinals)
It's not every day you see two brothers on the same squad. Even more rare is for them to be in the same graduating class.
Try three.
That's the case for Cooper, Jackson and Quinn Flammang. All three are seniors for the Cougars under coach Juan Osorio.
"It's just another element where we can grow together and show what we have," said midfielder Cooper Flammang. "It's another way for us to build each other up and go for the same common goal."
Each of them differs in personality and skill set, but their passion for the sport has kept them a package deal. There were times before high school when their talents took them in separate directions, but their paths have never fully diverged.
They've all played on varsity for three years and poised for a fourth.
In 2024-25, the Flammang brothers contributed 24 points combined to Cardinal Mooney's 108 total on the season. Quinn Flammang's five goals were the most among the trio, while Cooper Flammang's four assists bested both his brothers.
Mark Yencik was the leading point-getter for that team with 21, but has since graduated. Cardinal Mooney does bring back a pair of top scorers, though, in senior midfielder/forward Samuel Shamsey (nine goals) and senior striker/forward Lance Lopez (seven goals).
"Making it farther in regionals and going to states is definitely a goal that we have, and I think that comes with just showing up to practice and giving 100%," said midfielder/defender Jackson Flammang. "Each year that we've been a part of the program, and as other kids have progressed, our team has gotten better."
The Cougars boast a remarkable 16 seniors on their 25-deep squad for 2025-26. Experience is decidedly on their side in that regard.
Among those will be a crucial three — the Flammang brothers. In all likelihood, it will be the final time they ever compete as one.
"Soccer is a big part of our lives, and we love it a lot," said midfielder/defender Quinn Flammang. "No matter where we end up in college — together or not — we'll feel that drive just to stay in shape and have that competitive aspect still with us."
Sarasota Christian girls (7-9-1 in 2024-25, missed state tournament)
The Blazers made a big-time move when they hired Armand Dikranian ahead of the 2024-25 season. He has the kind of credentials several coaches in the area would envy.
After playing for Fairfield men's soccer of NCAA Division I, he worked as an assistant for Div. II Bridgeport men's soccer (2007-10) and Div. II Southern Connecticut State women's soccer (2011-12).
His in-state experience dwarfs that resume. Dikranian went on to work assistant positions with South Florida women's soccer (2012-13) and Florida State women's soccer (2013-17).
During his time with the Seminoles, the program won the 2014 national championship, along with four consecutive ACC titles.
"Players at Florida State were on the path to being professional in soccer, and those that didn't (go pro) got fantastic jobs upon graduating, because they held remarkable leadership qualities and work ethic and commitment," Dikranian said. "The aim here is the same thing for the girls... we're giving them values and skill sets to succeed in life."
Sarasota Christian graduated six players from last year's team. That pool of production is gone, so in its place, the group has welcomed nine new faces into its ranks — four of whom are freshmen.
Naturally, the first few weeks of practice have required the newcomers to adapt the habits and tactics that Dikranian instilled in his debut season.
That's a process which will take time, but the standards won't waver for anyone.
"We want to replicate that same Blazer way, and what it means is to work hard for each other and give it everything you've got," Dikranian said. "Let everything out on the field and do the best we can, while also learning and being as organized as possible."
Senior Haley Bolton will constitute a considerable part of the equation. Her leadership and heightened scoring volume, per Dekranian, will be crucial if Sarasota Christian is to move in a positive direction.
Year-to-year adversity is inevitable. The Blazers chose Dikranian to manage such moments as this.
"We need players to step up and absorb more of a role, and they already have, so I've been happy in that regard," Dikranian said. "But it seems to all look good until you're tested."
Riverview girls (12-4-1 in 2024-25, reached 7A regional quarterfinals)
Exceptional seasons weren't plentiful in the Sarasota area for 2024-25. Some teams struggled just to make the state tournament.
Bronwyn Leggett stood out like a diamond in the rough.
In her sophomore campaign, she racked up 1,163 minutes in goal and made 79 saves. She registered a goals against average of 0.963 through 17 games played.
Leggett was one of the region's most valuable players — bar none. And she's just now beginning the latter half of her high school career.
Riverview is back-to-back district champions, but the road to a three-peat could be rockier than either of the past two. The squad lost its three leading scorers, who, according to coach Joe St. Onge, were also the top three scorers in program history.
Junior midfielder Emily Simone, who produced six goals and three assists as a sophomore, projects to be a major contributor. Sofia Sepulveda — a senior midfielder — will be a crucial cog, too.
But the Rams also have an intriguing midseason addition looming.
Sophia Oszlanczi is currently away from the team while training with the U17 Hungarian National Team. The sophomore midfielder was called up in April, and won't be available for Riverview to begin the campaign.
Still, there is a constant among all the moving pieces. Leggett will once again form a steel wall in net.
