Falcons record first first FHSAA playoff win since 2006
By Official Florida FC
Pedro Menendez High School did just enough to win its 10th straight match on Wednesday night. The Falcons edged Yulee (10-8-1) 1-0 to set up a rematch against Jacksonville Bishop Kenny on Saturday night in a Region 1-4A semifinal.
Menendez (14-2) is enjoying its best season in school history. Senior Michael Malota scored his ninth goal of the season with a first half free kick.
The Falcons controlled possession and created more chances than the visitors from Nassau County. However, Yulee senior goalie Colby Cochran was equal to the task.
Wednesday’s win was Menendez’s first FHSAA playoff win in 15 years. The Falcons will try to advance to their first regional final against a Bishop Kenny squad that eliminated Menendez in the 2020 postseason.
Bishop Kenny (12-3-5) was a state semifinalst in 2020. The Crusaders are undefeated in their last nine matches. Menendez’s 1-0 win in St. Augustine on Jan. 9 was the Crusaders’ last loss.
Elsewhere, in the Class 4A playoffs, North Broward Prep and Fort Lauderdale Cardinal Gibbons, two of the top seven teams in the classification’s final regular season standings, were upset in the Region 4-4A quarterfinals. Somerset Academy beat North Broward Prep 4-3 while Jensen Beach upset Cardinal Gibbons 1-0.
The No. 1 ranked team in Class 4A, Panama City Beach Arnold throttled Crawfordville Wakulla 6-0. In Region 3-4A Merritt Island (15-1-1) and Rockledge (10-2-5) both won to set up a derby between the Brevard County rivals in the Region 3-4A semifinals.
Here are photos from Menendez’s win over Yulee.
Menendez forward Michael Malota scored the only goal of the game in a 1-0 Region 1-4A quarterfinal win against Yulee. Malota and the Falcons improved to 14-2. (Photo by Will Brown) 
Menendez midfielder Antonio Giovanni (5) tries to win the ball in midfield against a Yulee player during a Region 1-4A quarterfinal while Tyler Owen (2) looks on from behind. Menendez won 1-0 to improve to 14-2. (Photo by Will Brown) 
Yulee defender Ian Riggs (18) stopped the counterattack of Menendez senior midfielder Danny Rot during a Feb. 17, 2021 Region 1-4A quarterfinal. Menendez won 1-0 to improve to 14-2. (Photo by Will Brown) 
Yulee goalie Colby Cochran, center, stretches his hand to thwart the attempt of Menendez senior Danny Rot during a Feb. 17 Region 1-4A quarterfinal. Menendez won 1-0 to improve to 14-2. (Photo by Will Brown) 
Yulee defender Ian Riggs (18) wins a header over Menendez’s Danny Rot during the second half of a Region 1-4A quarterfinal. Menendez won 1-0 to eliminate the Hornets and improve to 14-2. (Photo by Will Brown) 
Yulee forward Sebastian Joinville awaits play to restart during the second half of a Region 1-4A quarterfinal against Menendez in St. Augustine. Menendez eliminated the Hornets 1-0. Yulee ends its season with a 10-8-1 record. (Photo by Will Brown) 
Yulee goalie Colby Cochran made a series of saves to help the Hornets remain within striking distance of Menendez in a Region 1-4A quarterfinal match. Menendez won 1-0 via a first half free kick. Yulee ended its season with a 10-8-1 record. (Photo by Will Brown) 
Menendez fullback Camilo Vera (10) wins a header during the second half of a Region 1-4A quarterfinal win over Yulee. Menendez improved to 14-2. (Photo by Will Brown) 
Menendez fullback Camilo Vera (10) tries to clear the ball ahead of Yulee’s onrushing midfielder Hunter Kratochvil during a FHSAA Region 1-4A quarterfinal. (Photo by Will Brown) 
Yulee’s Hayden Domingo, left, passes back toward his goalie to evade the pressure of Menendez’s Danny Rot (3) during the second half of a FHSAA Region 1-4A quarterfinal. (Photo by Will Brown) 
Yulee goalie Colby Cochran times his clearance to deny Menendez a goal-scoring opportunity in the waning moments of a FHSAA Region 1-4A quarterfinal. Menendez won 1-0 to eliminate the Hornets. (Photo by Will Brown) 
Menendez forward Michael Malota, left, checks on Yulee defender Peyton Mondares following a clash outside the penalty area during the second half of a FHSAA Region 1-4A quarterfinal match. Malota scored the only goal in Menendez’s 1-0 win. 
Menendez forward Michael Malota’s first half free kick was the difference in a FHSAA Region 1-4A quarterfinal on Wednesday, Feb. 17, 2021. Menendez improved to 14-2. (Photo by Will Brown) 
Menendez boys soccer coach Ron Messick has led the Falcons to a 14-2 record and a berth in the Region 1-4A semifinals for the second straight season. (Photo by Will Brown) 
Menendez boys soccer coach Ron Messick gives a team talk following the Falcons’ 1-0 win over Yulee in a FHSAA Region 1-4A quarterfinal. The win was the Falcons’ 10th straight victory. (Photo by Will Brown) 
Yulee’s Sebastian Joinville walks off the field after the Hornets’ 1-0 loss to Menendez in a Region 1-4A quarterfinal. The Hornets end their season with a 10-8-1 record. (Photo by Will Brown) 
Menendez seniors Francesco Brena, left, and David Manaute, right, applaud the fans who watched the Falcons eliminate Yulee 1-0 in a FHSAA Region 1-4A quarterfinal. The Falcons 10th straight win helped the team improve to to 14-2. (Photo by Will Brown
