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Sophomore Nelly Sagarra, on her 16th birthday, breaks away in the first half to score Gables' first goal.

Senior Nicole Kaufman sets up a cross deep in Southwest territory.

Returning to play after recovering from a broken collarbone, number 24 Lauren Kerzner takes a pass from Marianna Babboni, number 7.

Midfielder Gabriela Urban switches the ball to the opposite side of the field.

Nelly Sagarra prepares to shoot and score her second goal of the game, on her 16th birthday.

Gables forward Marianna Babboni escapes two defenders.

Brooke Donner, playing left defense, sends the ball back upfield.

Heading into the tough, final stretch of district competition, the Coral Gables Senior High Girls Varsity Soccer Team capped a six-game winning streak on Monday, Dec. 10, with a 4-1 home-field victory over Southwest.

Gables’ record now stands at 12-2.

Monday’s match wasn’t just about soccer. Sophomore striker Nelly Sagarra, Gables’ leading scorer, celebrated her 16^th birthday by scoring two goals and recording an assist on her high-flying corner kick, which was launched into the net on a brilliant goal by junior Hadley Stringer. The team also celebrated freshman midfielder Lauren Kerzner’s return to the field for the first time since Nov. 8, when she broke her collarbone in an earlier-season match against Southwest.

“I’m just so happy to be playing again,” Lauren said after the game.

Junior forward Danielle Riesco scored Gables’ final goal of the day on a decisive, low zinger. Southwest’s goal was scored on a penalty kick that resulted from a Gables’ handball in the goal box. Gables’ defense continued to be formidable, preventing any non-penalty kick scoring threat.

Monday’s win, like Gables’ 2-1 home victory Friday, Dec. 7, against Goleman, came after an extremely physical game.

Gables Head Coach Eddie Aguirre was pleased with the recent performances.

“The girls were moving the ball so well,’’ he said. “We’re starting to see some girls really show; they’re blossoming and we’re going to peak at the right time.”

Gables’ next two opponents are the only teams to which the Lady Cavs have lost all season. Gables faces Lourdes on Thursday, Dec. 13, at Kendall Soccer Park, and Ferguson on Monday, Dec. 17, in the final home game of the season. The last district game of the regular season is against Braddock on Dec. 20, on the Braddock field.

Aguirre noted that Gables has outscored opponents 65 to 15 this season, with seven opponent goals coming in a single game, against Lourdes. “That’s pretty impressive,” Aguirre said. “We’ve scored a lot of goals this year.”

Gables’ offensive leaders are Nelly Sagarra, with 23 goals and seven assists; Hadley Stringer, with 16 goals and five assists; and Danielle Riesco, with 13 goals and seven assists.

Aguirre is looking forward to the 5A District 15 and the Greater Miami Athletic Conference playoffs, and even beyond that to next year. “I’m excited. I’m really excited about the potential, about where we’re headed,” he said. “It’s only going to get better.”