The Oviedo High School Boy’s Soccer team is near the end of its successful season and is competing in the 2025 Boys Soccer State Championship Tournament. The team ended the regular season 10-3-3, and first overall in their district. The team is now competing in the State Championship Tournament and hope to win a soccer state title, something that hasn’t been done in Oviedo High School’s history.

The team started postseason play in the 2025 Boys Soccer District Tournament. The team finished the tournament as district champions and won their first distinct championship since 2014. The joy and excitement they received from that final quickly shifted to extreme focus and determination, as they have a higher goal in mind.

“I was so happy when we won districts because I’ve been on the team for three years and we finally won it,” Junior Blake Bertot said. “The day after we were already on it at practice, and we’re treating it like a whole new season.”

On Tuesday, February 4, the team went against Winter Springs High School in the Regional Quarterfinal of the State Championship Tournament. This was a rematch from the team’s District Final, where the team narrowly won that game 1-1. This game was another hard-fought battle, as they won in a thrilling 3-2 match.

After regular time, the game was headed into overtime, with a score of 2-2. In the 85th minute, senior Ellison Ruffin scored his third goal of the game, advancing them into the Regional Semifinals. Ruffin capped off an excellent performance, as he scored a hat trick in the team’s biggest game of the season so far.

“I was ecstatic after the game, and just really excited that we were able to move onto the next round,” Ruffin said. “But I couldn’t have done it without my teammates who were able to give me the ball in the right moments.”

On Friday, February 7, the team hosted a matchup against Sun Lake High School in the Regional Semifinals. Sun Lake is ranked third in the region, and posed to be a tough match against the Lions. The Lions went on to win the game 2-0, with another stellar performance from Ellison Ruffin who scored two goals. The team was also led by top defender, senior Jackson Sloane, and senior midfielder Kaden Atwell who assisted on one of the goals. The team’s early scoring and disciplined defense helped carry this team to a well-earned win and ensured their placement in the Regional finals.

“Scoring early on in that game really helped, as we were able to control the game from then on,” Sloane said. “I was happy that we were able to concede zero goals, and I felt like the defense was a key part in that game.”

The team will now take on Wiregrass Ranch on Wednesday, February 12, in the Regional Final. This game will be played at Wesley Chapel, and will be the teams first away game in the states championship tournament. The team is going against the number one team in the region, but are prepared for this challenge. The team believes that if they stay the course, and continue to do the little things, then they’ll be able to make it even farther in the tournament.

“In this next game, if we keep the ball, get it forward, and stay disciplined defensively, then we’ll be all set,” Ruffin said. “We’ve got to stay tight as a team, by making sure we’re bonding on and off the field, and then we just have to play our game.”

The Lions have a chance at history, as they are striving to become state champions for the first time for Oviedo boys soccer. With an overall record of 14-3-3, the team has had one of their best seasons in years, and are deep in the playoffs. As they advance to the regional finals, the team hopes of becoming state champions inch even closer.