By Kyle LoJacono
Staff Writer
For the first time in the more than 20-year history of soccer at Land O’ Lakes High a pair of siblings has made first-team Sunshine Athletic Conference (SAC) in the same year.
The two are sister and brother Alexis and Frankie Villar. Alexis is a junior who played forward, midfield and defense last season. Frankie is a senior defender and has signed to play soccer at Florida Atlantic University next year.
“We heard about Alexis making the team first from her coach Vicky King and Frankie’s coach (Mark Pearson) called a little after,” said the siblings’ mother Linda Villar. “It’s so amazing because it’s the first time it’s happened.”
The SAC, which started in 1991, includes all public high schools in Pasco County. It is unclear if the Villars are the first siblings to earn first-team SAC in the same year, but SAC executive secretary Keith Newton said it is extremely rare and did not remember it happening before.
Coaches for each sport get to vote on which players they think were the best that year. The players with the most votes make first team, second team or honorable mention.
“It didn’t even click at first,” Frankie said of the two making first team. “I didn’t think about it, but after a while I thought about how cool it was to do it as a family.”
Half of the feat came as a surprise to Alexis.
“I knew he’d make it, but I wasn’t expecting it,” Alexis said. “It’s kind of crazy and it hasn’t really hit me yet. I’ve always looked up to him and I’m glad we could do it together…It’s my first time making first team and I’m really excited.”
Frankie did not know how many times he had made the first team, but knew it was not his first time.
The senior made first team despite suffering a torn anterior cruciate ligament, commonly called the ACL, in January. Frankie said he already had surgery to repair his knee. The normal recovery time is at least six months for such an injury. He wants to get back to playing soccer as fast as possible because he plans on playing at the sport’s highest level.
“I want to play professionally overseas because it’s a whole different game over there,” Frankie said. “I’ve just always loved playing since my parents had me start as a little kid. I had too much energy and they wanted me to play because I’d have to run around a lot. I guess they thought it would get rid of some of that energy.”
The siblings’ parents have seen them make sacrifices for the sport.
“He’s always talked about playing soccer since he was a little boy,” Linda said. “He’s said that’s all he wants no ifs, ands or buts. My husband (Kenny) and I are so proud of both of them because they’ve given up parties and nights out with their friends for soccer.”
Frankie’s stats from last year were not available at press time, but he helped the boys team finish 18-4-2 and win the Class 4A, District 8 crown. His team won its first playoff game against Wesley Chapel, but was knocked out in the regional semifinals.
While big brother has his sights set on a professional sports career, Alexis has other goals.
“I don’t have a school picked out yet, but I want to go into the medical field,” Alexis said. “I’d like to do something that involves chemistry.”
Last season Alexis had four goals and one assist for a girls team that went 11-7-6. The lady Gators were the 4A-8 runners up and were eliminated in the regional quarterfinals.
“She leads by example for us,” King said. “She leaves everything on the field and never wants to come out no matter how tired she is…Frankie is an excellent player too.”
Alexis’ ability to set school records does not stop on the soccer field. She was also on the Gators’ 4X100 meter relay team that set a Land O’ Lakes record March 20 with a time of 51.4 seconds.
Frankie will soon be off to college, but Alexis has one more year of learning from her high school coach.
“I just want to thank coach King for everything she has done to develop my daughter as both a soccer player and a person,” Linda said. “She’s worked at helping all the girls get better and she’s just an amazing person. She is so dedicated to the school, the girls and helping them develop friendships that will last for a lifetime.”
