Gulliver Prep’s Cosme Salas is Miami-Dade Boys’ Soccer Player of the Year for 4A-2A

Gulliver Prep’s run to an eighth boys’ soccer state championship was defined by balance and versatility, and no one defined these attributes better than Cosme Salas.

It’s why the junior is the Miami Herald’s Boys’ Soccer Player of the Year for Classes 4A-2A.

“What makes Cosme great is that he’s physically multi-faceted — he can be an attacker, he can be a defender, he can be a central player — but he’s also intellectually multifaceted,” coach Scott Davidson said. “He doesn’t need to play one way or one style, he doesn’t need to be the center of attention. He also cares most deeply about the team and not so much about himself, and when your best players clearly care about the team first and their teammates first, it becomes very easy for everyone else to, as well.”

Salas led Gulliver with 14 goals and 10 assists, but his value to the Raiders was about more than just what he did on offense. At various points this year, he played forward, midfield and defense, manning the middle of the field in all three phases of the game for the Class 4A champions.

“I’ve always enjoyed being able to tell a coach if I try out for a team, or in case someone gets injured, that I can play that position,” said Salas, who also plays football and lacrosse. “I always enjoyed being a well-rounded player.”

He delivered on the biggest stage, too. In the 4A title game last month, Salas scored the opening goal and handed out an assist, helping Gulliver build a three-goal lead on the way to a 3-2 victory.

His goal summed up what made him such a special player for the Raiders. When Gulliver drew a free kick near the edge of the box, he went for a quick kick, catching Orlando Bishop Moore unprepared and sneaking a shot into the net before Bishop Moore could set up its wall.

He then set up another goal with a perfectly placed through ball to put the Raiders up 2-0 on the way to their eighth state title.

Salas also had a hat trick in Gulliver’s Region 4-4A championship win against Cardinal Gibbons and scored six total goals during the Raiders’ postseason run.

Mostly, he was just glad to play a part in a historic state title for Gulliver. The Raiders’ eight state championships are the second most in Florida High School Association history and the most by a Miami-Dade County school, and lets them keep pace with Plantation American Heritage for the most by a South Florida team.

“Our team never really cares about who scored or who has the most goals,” Salas said. “We just cared about playing as a team, winning as a team and that was a huge factor.”