Mandarin, Bartram Trail meet again: 3 things we learned from District 1-7A boys soccer final

The moment Antonio Mancinotti felt his ankles clipped, the moment he fell to the grass, and the moment he heard the referee's whistle, he knew what was coming next.

"Once I got fouled, I went straight to the ball," Mancinotti said. "I'm confident enough in myself to stay calm and composed."

Mandarin's goal-scoring senior picked himself up and drilled a penalty kick for the deciding goal, powering the Mustangs past Bartram Trail 1-0 in Thursday night's Florida High School Athletic Association District 1-7A boys soccer championship at The Corral.

Now, the Mustangs — ranked third in the United States by the United Soccer Coaches — have beaten every opponent they've faced this year, avenging their only draw from the Holiday Cup in December against the Bears.

Both teams are playoff-bound, and they could yet meet again.

Records: Mandarin is 18-0-1; Bartram Trail is 12-3-1.

The goal: Antonio Mancinotti converted a 56th-minute penalty kick for the only score.

Key play: Mandarin midfielder Adis Mesic accelerated through three Bears before passing to Mancinotti on the left wing, creating the attack that led to the penalty.

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MORE MANCINOTTI MAGIC

With 28 goals coming into Thursday's game, following up on a 30-goal campaign in 2021-22, Mancinotti is used to life as the Mustangs' main man. Lining up on his favored right wing, Mancinotti slashed inside and out all night against the Bears' defense in combination with Mesic.

Still, it took most of the night for Mancinotti to find the breakthrough, denied for a while by Bears goalkeeper Brogan Earley or the goalpost.

A quarter-hour into the second half, Mesic unlocked the door with his pass to Mancinotti, who dashed into the box before a foul whistled against Bears fullback Casey Cupit. Moments later came goal number 29.

For Mancinotti, who ended his middle school career with a title four years ago, the Mustangs' run is kindling similar dreams for his high school finale.

"It's bringing me back to [Mandarin] Middle School, my eighth-grade year when we went undefeated and won the city title," Mancinotti said. "And I'm expecting it this year. This [undefeated season] means a lot to us."

MATHLIN, WILLIAMS SHINE FOR BEARS

Bartram Trail tested Mandarin in the early going through the acceleration of senior Dimani Mathlin, who repeatedly threatened to break behind the Mustang defense and earned numerous free kicks.

The Bears also created chaos on set plays aiming for towering midfielder Luke Williams, who linked up with Mathlin for three scoring chances inside the first 20 minutes.

"Those two kids are special as far as I'm concerned," Mandarin coach Jason Cooley said. "They're a load to handle."

Despite the loss, there's no concern about the playoff status of Bartram Trail. Ranked second in the Region 1-7A standings before the tournament, they're assured of an FHSAA at-large berth entering Wednesday's regionals.

"It's always tough playing Mandarin coming to their place," Bears coach Matthew Crowell said, "but we're just going to move forward."

MUSTANGS GATHER STRENGTH

What's really scary for Mandarin's playoff opponents? After months of injuries, the Mustangs are galloping ever closer to full strength.

Back in action Thursday were Sasha Maric, the Mustangs' tall and commanding central defender, and sophomore midfielder Omar Trto, a skillful passer at the heart of the midfield. Both had missed much of the season.

Their return further strengthened a defense anchored by versatile senior Kristian Palenik, who drifted between the back line and the midfield through the evening, while cornerback-turned-goalkeeper Brayden Knox locked down the net.

After 19 games down, and five to go, Cooley said it's not yet fully mission accomplished for the Mustangs. But every win brings them closer to history.

"Our goal was three [championships]. We wanted Gateway, district and state," Cooley said. "And they're focused in on it."

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: High school boys soccer 2023: Bartram Trail-Mandarin district final takeaways