Photos MICHAEL PISTELLA Cape Coral’s Kevin Hurley (second from left), Olivier Benedict, Caio Amaral, and Paolo Acosta celebrate their first goal scored by Kevin Lopera (10) in the state semifinals win Thursday. The Seahawks (24-1-3) play for the school’s first team state championship at 2 p.m. today in Tampa. More photos are available online at: cu.cape-coral-daily-breeze.com.

TAMPA – When the Cape Coral Seahawks take the field to warm up for the Class 4A state boys’ soccer championship game today, at some point coach Aldo Nardiello will bring out old “Tango.”

“Tango” is a soccer ball model made by Adidas more than two decades ago. It has special meaning for Nardiello – and a bit of magic, too.

“I’ve had that ball with me in the ball bag everywhere I’ve been since 1989,” Nardiello explained. “I bring it out and all the players come over and touch it, or hug it for luck.”

He said if you look closely at the ball, in fading ink you can just make out the letters “Albany” on it. Nardiello won an ECAC championship with it while coaching at the University of Albany (N.Y.).

The Seahawks hope to make this a truly magical season by claiming the Class 4A championship with a victory over Fort Walton Beach Choctawhatchee. Kickoff is 2 p.m. at the University of Tampa’s Pepin Stadium.

It’s fitting that Nardiello, a history teacher, is helping the Seahawks write their own history chapter for the 32-year-old school.

The Seahawks became the first team in school history to advance to the state championship game in any sport Thursday with a 4-0 victory over Celebration in the state semifinals.

Four different players scored goals for the Seahawks (24-1-3), who found the back of the net three times in the second half.

Kevin Lopera scored what proved to be the game-winner in the sixth minute of the opening half. The Seahawks were awarded a free kick just outside the 18-yard penalty box. Paolo Acosta put the ball down and quickly tapped it ahead near the left post to Lopera, who blasted it past the keeper to the far back corner of the net.

“My first touch of the ball in five games,” said Lopera, who had a six-week suspension reduced to three weeks less than 24 hours before Thursday’s kickoff. “I was excited and knew we would do good. I had confidence in myself and my teammates.”

Nardiello said Lopera’s appeal reprieve was a welcome relief.

“We missed him for those five (playoff) games,” Nardiello said. “He is one of the most gifted players. It was a psychological boost to have him on the field.

“Getting that first goal, that’s an icebreaker. It gave us a level of comfort and helped us relax a bit,” Nardiello added.

Celebration (16-2-3) was limited to just two shots on goal, both of those coming in the first half. Seahawks goalkeeper Daniel Villamil saved them both to preserve the shutout.

“It feels great to get to the finals,” said Villamil. “This game is what we’ve all been waiting for.”

The Seahawks did not score again until the 12th minute of the second half. That’s when Ronald Lind took a crossing pass from Nathan Stone that first caromed off a defender before he buried it in the net for a 2-0 lead.

Eight minutes later, Caio Amaral received a pass on the left sideline and dribbled 40 yards toward the goal before firing a shot inside the left post past Celebration’s diving keeper John Birchall (four saves).

“I’ve been taught to turn the ball to space and always cut to the goal,” said Amaral. “When I saw the keeper come out, I looked for the right angle. This has been a dream since the beginning of the season. We have team discipline, but it’s not the end yet.”

With four minutes remaining, Juan Cano bent a free kick from 20 yards around a defensive wall and into the net for the Seahawks’ fourth and final goal.

Frustration started to show with about 10 minutes remaining as four Celebration players earned yellow cards in the final minutes.

“I love standing back and watching these kids enjoy the moment,” said Nardiello. “Wherever life takes these kids, they will always have this to look back on. Not many kids get to do that.”

The Seahawks’ recent playoff run has been marked by one-goal wins, penalty kick shootouts and overtimes. That was not the case in the semifinal.

“It’s feast or famine sometimes,” said Nardiello. “Some games the goals just come. It allowed us to play more players. We could give the young kids some exposure to this type of game for the future.”

The Seahawks outshot the Storm 8-2 in shots on goal and 15-11 overall.

“We knew that one goal was not enough,” said Villamil. “We knew we had to come out in the second half more excited than them and with more desire to win.”

Mission accomplished.

“I’ve coached teams with lots of talent that had no chemistry,” said Nardiello. “And teams with chemistry and not a lot of talent. These kids have both. They are truly friends on and off the field and outside of soccer.”

Nardiello says he will remind his players of several things before today’s game.

“It’s just another game, don’t abandon the things that got you here, and use your weapons,” he said. “We are a balanced team in all important areas. Our goalkeeper does not let in soft goals, our defense plays technical players tight and hard, and we have strikers who can finish.”

Nardiello compiled a collegiate record of 172-107-15 at four colleges before moving to Cape Coral and taking over the Seahawks in 2006.

In December, the Seahawks beat Fort Myers to present Nardiello with his 100th high school victory – 51st at Cape High. The Seahawks were 10-0-2 at the time, and have added 14 wins to that total since.

They want to add just one more win this season.