Gonzalez score gives Fort Lauderdale win

WEST PALM BEACH —A lightning-quick strike for a goal from 40 yards out by Fort Lauderdale’s Gabriel Gonzalez in the 66th minute was the winner as the visiting Flying L’s defeated the Forest Hill Falcons 2-1 in a 4A regional quarterfinal Wednesday night.

With the score tied at 1-1, Gonzalez gathered a deflected pass, controlled it, and then stuck a low flying shot that took one bounce and skipped past Forest Hill goalkeeper Sean Hemstreet. The only person who wasn’t surprised by the result was Gonzalez.

“I knew it was a goal from the moment I kicked it,” he said.

Fort Lauderdale coach Mourinho Snipe was delighted with his team’s performance.

“We had a game plan coming into tonight’s game and it worked,” said Snipe.

Fort Lauderdale (19-5-1) took a 1-0 lead in the first half when Mario Simoe scored from point-blank range following a free kick. Forest Hill was unable to clear the ball and Simoe took advantage of the Falcons’ shaky defense.

Less than two minutes later, Forest Hill (10-5-3) tied the game at 1-1 when Cristian Erazo stole the ball from a Fort Lauderdale defender just outside the Flying L’s 18-yard box and pounded the ball with his right foot into the far corner of the goal.

Fort Lauderdale advances to a regional semifinal at West Boca on Saturday at 7 p.m. West Boca rolled past Suncoast 3-0.