Dangerous duo: Ford Cash, Lily White have Benjamin soccer ready for postseason success

One of the only teams performing better than the Benjamin boys soccer team this season is the Benjamin girls team.

Having wrapped up their regular seasons, both of the Buccaneers’ programs enter the playoffs in prime position for a postseason run.

The track records, leadership, and talent is all there for each – but every soccer fan knows that it’s often the clutch factor that separates the good teams from the great ones.

Thankfully for Benjamin, each program has that in the form of a proven star.

Ford Cash excelling in new role

Two excellent seasons have put Ford Cash on the map – but while the Benjamin junior is no longer flying under the radar, he’s producing at a high level and in more ways than one.

Touted by teammates and opposition as an elite scorer, Cash has still found the back of the net 13 times this season.

But that number belies the fact that the Buccaneers star has found success in a new role as a facilitator, not just a finisher in the final third.

“Stepping back in my position in the midfield and facilitating the ball,” Ford said describing his newfound role with Benjamin soccer, and it’s borne fruit.

Cash is still going to be called upon for key kicks and penalties, but his seven assists also lead the team.

“He’s someone who comes in clutch,” head coach Kris Steeves said. “If we can get just one chance that falls to Ford, that’s a good sign.”

Dynamic, reliable, and humble.

Those are the words that come to Steeves’ mind when describing his junior leader.

The Bucs head into the postseason off a pair of hard-fought matches – a 1-1 tie against Jupiter and a 1-0 loss to undefeated Somerset Canyons.

But Benjamin has been missing some players to injury at different times of the year.

In fact, the last time the Bucs had a full unit, they demolished NSU, an annual playoff team, by a 3-0 margin.

Now much healthier, Ford believes the Bucs are ready for a playoff run.

He certainly is.

“I’ve gotten a lot better since last year, and it’s shown in a way on the field,” Cash said. “But with teams kind of knowing who I am, it’s just me getting my teammates involved. I think we’re hitting our strike at the right time going into the playoffs.”

Lily White has Benjamin girls on cruise control

As a multi-sport athlete and Penn commit, Lily White has been a force for Benjamin soccer.

Her accolades have continued to grow during her playing time as a Buc, including recognition as The Palm Beach Post’s most recent Girls Soccer Player of the year.

That was after a 2022-2023 season in which the then-junior turned in a 21-goal, 12-assist performance, earning her an open-and-shut audition as kicker for the Benjamin football team.

White then proceeded to dwarf even those lofty numbers, tallying 30 goals in this year’s regular season – which saw the Buccaneers run the table to the turn of 14 wins and zero losses or ties.

“Lily is essentially an ace up our sleeve,” head coach Hillary Carney said. ”She’s no longer a secret. She is a phenomenal player and teams try to double and triple-team her, and she still finds a way to have an impact on the game.”

After Benjamin lost two senior center-backs from last season’s graduating class, expectations were uncertain – but White is much more than just a talented footballer.

“She’s a very special kid,” Carney said. “She brings a lot to the table. She’s been a great role model and leader. For eighth-graders to see a player of her caliber . . . she raises the level of the players around her. She’s really taken young players under her wing.”

Benjamin is no stranger to deep playoff runs.

Last year, they lost in penalties in the state semis. The year before, they lost in the finals.

This year, despite the youth, White believes they have the talent to go all the way.

“I have a really strong feeling we’re going to make the state championships,” White said.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Ford Cash, Lily White lead Benjamin soccer into 2024 postseason