Soccer Game Preview: Varela vs. Lourdes Academy

Varela is 0-3 against Lourdes Academy since November of 2021 but things could change on Wednesday. The Varela Vipers will face off against Lourdes Academy at 3:30 p.m. Both squads will be entering this one on the heels of a big victory.

Varela is on a roll after a high-stakes playoff matchup on Friday. They never let North Miami onto the board and left with a 5-0 win. The high-scoring effort was just what the Vipers needed considering they were shutout in their previous matchup.

Meanwhile, Lourdes Academy entered their tilt with Mater Academy Charter on Friday with two consecutive wins but they'll enter their next game with three. They blew past the Lions 13-0. Given Lourdes Academy's advantage in MaxPreps' Florida soccer rankings (they are ranked fourth, while Mater Academy Charter is ranked 450th), the result wasn't entirely unexpected.

Lourdes Academy's offense was hitting Mater Academy Charter from everywhere, as eight different players booted in a goal. Sienna Aviles led that balanced group of strikers and accounted for two goals all by herself.

Lourdes Academy is on a roll lately: they've won four of their last five games, which provided a nice bump to their 11-1-2 record this season. Those victories came thanks to their offensive performance across that stretch, as they scored 27 goals over those five contests. As for Varela, their victory bumped their record up to 11-6-1.

Varela might still be hurting after the 9-0 defeat they got from Lourdes Academy in their previous matchup back in January of 2024. Can Varela avenge their loss or is history doomed to repeat itself? We'll find out soon enough.