Is Lely Soccer Really This Good?

Three games into the season, the Lely boys soccer team has outscored their opponents 22-2, including the Friday, Nov. 6, 8-0 mercy rule home win over South Ft. Myers. One can’t help but wonder whether Lely is really this good or are their opponents not so good.

“A little bit of both,” said Robbie Schank, Lely’s coach of 33 years. “We’re playing better as a team this year. We’re not relying on one player.  We’ve got 22. That’s the blessing. And we’re very young. We only have four starting seniors. We’re a sophomore-dominant team. And they’re playing above their age. And I couldn’t be more proud right now. Everybody thought Lely was going to be on the downslope this year, but we’re here to stay.”

The Trojans now move into Collier County Athletic Conference play. That will give Schank a better idea where his young team stands.

“The whole county will be playing each other,” he said. “Any one of us can win it this year. It’s going to be a battle for everyone.”

 Sophomore Patlens Cesar led the Trojans with a hat trick—three goals—against the Wolfpack. Junior Landon Harmon and senior captain Angel Otero each had two goals. Sophomore Carson Kimbler, the coach’s son, also scored.

Goalkeeper Connor Alexich, also a captain, posted his first shutout this season. “Connor’s a junior,” Schank said, “he’s one of the best goalkeepers in SW Florida.”

Lely (3-0) is back in action at home on Thursday, November 12, when they take on undefeated Immokalee.