Jacksonville FL-The Mandarin boys soccer team will have plenty of momentum heading into the 2019 playoffs as they defeated Sandalwood 3-1 in a district 1-5A tournament showdown Wednesday, to stamp their ticket to the playoffs. Mandarin’s Jack Mcnamee, Adel Iriskic and Nial Beceirevic all scored for the Mustangs, compliments of assists from Juan Marquez, Aaron Pruitt and Jorge.
Missed penalty kick for Sandalwood. Mandarin continues to lead 2-0 @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/eWxgvchJVs
— Makeda Lawton (@adekam1976) January 31, 2019
The 18-1-1 Mustangs are riding a wave of winning this season. That’s after the Mustangs knocked off the two-time defending Gateway Conference champion Fletcher Senators last week to be crowned 2018-2019 Gateway Conference Champions,It was an accomplishment that sent the team into a frenzied celebration, as they know this year is a special year for the Orange and Green.
Mandarin celebrates after becoming the 2018-2019 Gateway Soccer Conference Champions @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/oiHnYteaA8
— Makeda Lawton (@adekam1976) January 19, 2019
Mandarin’s head coach Jason Cooley has preached one game at a time and the players have bought in to that philosophy. “All I ask of them is to battle for 80 minutes”, said Cooley, whose team ended up needing 90 minutes to take care of Fletcher. They scored on a corner kick in the contest by Aaron Pruitt, and eventually won the game on a penalty kick in dramatic fashion.
2018: The Year of the Mustang@MHSsportszone adds to their 🏆🏆🏆 collection, taking home the Gateway Conference title in PKs!! A LOT more coming up from this one on @FCN2go at 11! @Activities_MHS @MandarinSoccer #TeamSideline pic.twitter.com/hi1i0bYi3I
— Mia O'Brien (@MiaOBrienTV) January 19, 2019
The team has been led all year by junior forward Adel Iriskic, whose unquestioned heart has fueled the fire of this young team. Iriskic as well as senior fullback John Mason,  sophomore goal keeper Jack McNamee and senior fullback Eddy Gomez have all played major roles in the team’s success this year, and is a major reason Mandarin is moving on in district play.
Mandarin’s John Mason, Adel Iriskic, Jack McNamee and Eddy Gomez discuss tonight’s 5A District Soccer Semi-Final win over Sandalwood @DuvalSports pic.twitter.com/l0jGMdmHp0
— Makeda Lawton (@adekam1976) January 31, 2019
After impressive wins over Fletcher in the Gateway Conference championship, and Sandalwood in the FHSAA Class 1-5A district tournament, Mandarin now sets it’s sites on the playoffs, a spot occupied by Sandalwood a year ago. Mandarin will likely receive a higher seed, as they hope to bring another championship back to Mustang land.
