Owen Armor headed in a corner kick 1:17 into the first overtime and visiting Winter Park downed previously unbeaten Lake Nona 2-1 in double-overtime Saturday in a Class 7A Region 1 boys soccer semifinal.
The dramatic victory advances Winter Park (13-2-3) to Tuesday’s region final against Lake Mary, which posted a 1-0 victory against Jacksonville Mandarin on Tuesday. The Rams (20-2-1), No. 3 in the MaxPreps 7A rankings, will host that match.
It marks the third consecutive year the Wildcats have made the region final. Winter Park denied a senior-ladened Lake Nona (12-1-4) its hope for a first-time region final appearance eight days after losing to the Lions 2-0 in a district final.
Lake Nona also topped the Wildcats 2-0 in a regular-season game and was No. 1 in the MaxPreps power ratings across all seven FHSAA classifications going into Saturday’s showdown.
“We have all the confidence. We know we can play anybody, no matter how good they are,” Wildcats goalkeeper Mark Guirguis said afterward. “As long as we play hard, we’ll get the job done.”
Armor said his team reviewed the two previous matchups, then attacked the Lions with full force.
“It became a real physical battle in the midfield. It was about winning first balls, winning second balls, and being brave in the middle,” Winter Park coach Tom Traxler said.
The Lions matched Winter Park through most of the game in the midfield. Diego Villalobos put the Lions up 1-0 with a penalty kick with just 8:57 to go in regulation. But Stefan Panic flicked a rebound past the Lake Nona keeper 27 seconds later to bring the Wildcats into a 1-1 tie.
“I saw the ball bouncing around,” Panic said. “I saw an opportunity, I took it, I scored and we’re winning.”
The goals seemed to liven up both offenses. The Wildcats nearly got another score when Pedro Kawamura tried to loft a shot from the top of the penalty area just under the crossbar. Lake Nona keeper Raul Hernandez saved it, but the ball bounced away, and he had to beat a Winter Park defender to prevent another shot. Hernandez had five saves.
“It was obviously a battle, very physical. I think we did well,” Lake Nona coach Andres Jaramillo said. “It’s hard to counter their set plays. They have a lot of tall players in the back attacking the ball, which was our downfall.
“I’m proud of this group. We kept playing to the last second. To go 16 undefeated games with such a tough schedule with teams like Winter Park, Timber Creek, Cypress Creek, Lake Mary. …. one heck of a season.”
Lake Nona had another chance just before the end of regulation, but Guirguis kick-saved Santiago Cortes’ shot.
Guirguis and Hernandez kept the score from being much higher. Guirguis had nine saves while Hernandez had five.
“We knew it’d be hard, and they’re very technical, so you have to play perfectly,” Guirguis said. “You have to play tight, you have to execute exactly what you have to do.”
Winter Park tested the Lions frequently with free kicks and corner kicks. The Wildcats wrested a goal off a corner kick 1:17 into the first overtime for a 2-1 lead. Jake Joyce corner-kicked to Armor, who beat Hernandez lower left.
“I just went up for the ball and put everything toward it,” Armor said.
The Lions had a couple chances in the second overtime. Their best came just over two minutes into the second overtime. Owen Waskiewicz’s throw-in bounced off a Winter Park defender and back to Waskiewicz. But he set the shot way over the net. Winter Park then kept the pressure on Lake Nona with at least three more chances while the Lions couldn’t connect on a long pass.
East Ridge tops Windermere: Will Barth and Eric Suarez scored goals for East Ridge (17-4-0) in a 2-1 win against Windermere (7-5-3) in 7A Region 2.
The Knights (17-4) will play Tuesday night’s final at Tampa Plant (16-3-1), which won 2-1 against Lithia Newsome (20-3-0) on Saturday.
Trinity Prep edges rival: Trinity Prep posted a 3-2 home win against Lake Highland Prep in a 3A Region 3 semifinal.
The Saints (16-1-1), No. 3 in the 3A rankings, will play at No. 4 Delray Beach American Heritage (9-0-3) on Tuesday.
Lake Highland finished 4-7-1, with three of the losses coming against Trinity Prep.
Hornets at home: Shea Kirven and Juan Figueroa scored goals for Bishop Moore in a 3-1 win vs. visiting Gainesville Eastside (6-6-3) in 4A Region 3.
Goalkeeper Matthew had six saves for the Hornets.
Bishop Moore (14-5-5) will be home again to face Merritt Island (16-1-1) in Tuesday’s region final. The 4A No. 4 Mustangs avenged a district final loss with a 4-1 win against Rockledge on Saturday.
Foundation rebounds: Nathan Bignon and Jay Garver scored goals and Foundation Academy avenged a district final loss to All Saints Academy (17-2-0) of Winter Haven with a 4-0 victory in 2A Region 2.
All Saints (17-2-0) beat the Lions 1-0 in a Feb. 8 district final.
Foundation (10-3-2) will play at Vero Beach St. Edward’s (14-2-1) on Tuesday.
Elsewhere: Lake Howell (11-6-0) lost 3-0 to visiting Neptune Beach Fletcher (15-3-2) in a 6A Region 1 semifinal.
Pine Ridge (11-6-3) lost 1-0 at Land O’ Lakes (11-5-2) in 5A.
This report was first published at OrlandoSentinel.com. Varsity Content Editor Buddy Collings can be reached by email at OrlandoSentinel.com.
