Heritage wins title with 4 seconds left in second OT
DELAND — Sebastian Vidarte remembered getting the pass from American Heritage-Plantation teammate Benjamin Grossi.
He remembered seeing that the far post area was open, and taking the shot.
“I don’t remember anything after that,” the junior said. “It was incredible.”
Vidarte’s shot already appeared to be going in when it hit off the bottom foot of Daytona Beach Seabreeze defender Nate Thompson’s foot and into the back of the net.
The goal — officially ruled an own goal — came with just 4 seconds remaining in the second overtime, gave American Heritage a 1-0 victory in the Class 3A state final over the defending champion Seabreeze on Saturday at Spec Martin Memorial Stadium.
It’s the sixth state championship in school history for the Patriots, the first since 2012.
“It’s been six years,” Grossi, a junior co-captain, said. “I love it because it’s my second-to-last year. I’m super thrilled to get another state title for my school.”
It was Grossi, noticing that time was running out in the second overtime, who brought the ball up the middle of the field and spotted Vidarte open on the left side.
“It was the last 15 seconds and I was exhausted, but I knew if I put a little more effort in, we were going to get the result — and we did,” Grossi said. “I saw [Vidarte] in a better position and I knew I had to give it up to him. … [It was a] rush of excitement. What else can be going through your mind when you win states.”
Vidarte’s goal ended a wellplayed game that saw both teams have their scoring chances, and both teams working so hard that players were cramping up toward the end.
Patriots’ goalkeeper Ralph Montero had a huge night, stopping a point-blank shot with 3 and a minutes left in regulation and then diving across the goal to punch away another shot by the Sandcrabs in the first overtime.
American Heritage coach Todd Goodman had nothing but praise for Seabreeze (17-3-4), which played with intensity and skill throughout the game.
“They played an incredible game,” Goodman said of the Sandcrabs. “But tonight, my boys were up to the task. There’s an old saying that it’s a lot easier to win it than keep it, and that’s something we will contend with next year.
“But for right now, we’re going to enjoy the moment.”
It was certainly a year to remember for the Patriots (21-1-3), and for Vidarte — who transferred in from Somerset Academy — in particular.
“This team is incredible,” Vidarte said. “I love them so much.”
And on this night, it wasn’t a matter of who wanted it more. It was just a matter of who would make the most of that one big scoring chance.
“Everybody was getting cramps,” Vidarte said. “We put in everything we could. This is a team that always fights until the end. We never give up.”
Even when they are just 4 seconds left in the second overtime of the state championship game. Even if Vidarte didn’t remember what happened after he took his game-winning shot.
“I felt everybody jumping on me — I couldn’t even breathe,” Vidarte smiled. “It was incredible.”