Boys Soccer: Golden Gate forfeiting up to 12 games due to a 'clerical processing error'
A promising season for the Golden Gate boys soccer team has taken a serious turn in their quest for a Class 5A State Championship.
The Titans have forfeited 12 games, according to records kept on the MaxPreps website. Collier County Public Schools Athletic Director Mark Rosenbalm would not confirm the number of games but said the school self-reported a clerical issue to the FHSAA and is working with the state organization.
"We were recently made aware of a clerical processing error involving a Golden Gate High School athletic program," Rosenbalm wrote in a statement to the Naples Daily News. "The district immediately began a review and self-reported the issue to the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA). We continue to collaborate with FHSAA on this matter and are awaiting their findings. We will comply with any required action."
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Golden Gate Activities Coordinator Joe Lee Gallegos and boys soccer coach Andy Hernandez could not be reached for comment. Gallegos took over for Pete Seitz at the beginning of 2022 as Seitz retired after 36 years in the Collier County Public School system.
The FHSAA did not respond to a record's request about Golden Gate.
The Titans were ranked 23rd in the state in the latest FHSAA RPI poll released Tuesday, but a significant drop is imminent. The final RPI rankings that determine district and seedings will be released Monday.
Golden Gate, which had a record of 14-1-2, had been in the driver's seat for Class 5A-Region 4. The Titans were in line to have home-field advantage throughout the regionals. Now at 4-13, their only way to get into regionals is to win Class 5A-District 13, and that's not a sure thing.
Barron Collier (11-7-1), Naples (9-5-2), or Lely (11-5-2) could eliminate the Titans with a win. The Cougars recently drew against the Titans, while Naples lost 1-0 on Dec. 14. Lely lost 7-1 in an early regular-season contest without star midfielder Johnathan Garcia.
American Heritage (Plantation) and Belen Jesuit, last year's 5A champ, have a much better chance of advancing to state in DeLand should that be the case. Golden Gate will be the set as the region's fourth seed should the Titans make it out of districts.
Golden Gate forfeits
Nov. 11 at Palmetto Ridge (2-1 win)
Nov. 15 vs. Barron Collier (7-1 win)
Nov. 17 vs. Marco Island (9-1 win)
Dec. 2 vs. Lely (7-1 win)
Dec. 3 at Fort Myers (4-3 win)
Dec. 6 vs. Bonita Springs (8-0 win)
Dec. 14 vs. Naples (1-0 win)
Dec. 16 at Barron Collier (2-2 draw)
Jan. 4 vs. Clewiston (6-3 win)
Jan. 7 at East Lee County (7-3 win)
Jan. 11 vs. Palmetto Ridge (2-2 draw)
Jan. 13 at Immokalee (3-2 win)
Follow Southwest Florida Sports Writer Alex Martin on Twitter: @NP_AlexMartin. For the best sports coverage in Southwest Florida, follow @newspresssports and @ndnprepzone on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on Naples Daily News: Golden Gate boys soccer program forfeiting 12 games due to a clerical error
