Rams lose 1-0

In a physical showdown between playoff rivals, only a penalty shot separated the winner from the loser.

Tallahassee Maclay’s Daniel Sweeney fired a penalty into the right corner of the net late in the first half and the Marauders hung on for a 1-0 victory against host Orangewood Christian in Class 1A.

Sweeney’s penalty kick was called after Maclay’s Bradley Stager got loose on a 1-on-2 breakaway and was pushed by an OCS player into Rams senior keeper Chase Honerbrink.

The loss ended Orangewood’s hopes for an eighth Final Four berth.

“It wasn’t our best game,” said coach Jeff Johnson of Orangewood (15-5-0).

Orangewood, a 2015 state champ, was 7-0 in region finals under Johnson before Tuesday’s defeat.

The teams played evenly in the first half, with Maclay (20-3-2) holding a 6-5 shots-on-goal edge.

“They have a great team,” Orangewood senior midfielder Paul Diaz said. “They gave it their all. I want to wish them the best of luck at state.”