Soree PK sends Heritage into title game
MELBOURNE — Sometimes, it pays totake a quick peek.
That’s what American Heritage’s Zandy Soree did just before taking her penalty kick — in overtime, no less — during Wednesday night’s Class 3A state girls soccer semifinal.
And when Soree noticed Land O’Lakes goalkeeper Hannah Young starting to move to one side, Soree drilled it the otherway and into the back of the net, giving the Patriots a dramatic 2-1 overtime victory at Melbourne High School.
“I started crying a little, I was so happy,” Soree said. “I was so scared we were going to lose tonight … I’m so proud of the team and all they’ve done. I couldn’t be happier and any more excited for [Thursday].”
The Patriots (21-1-0) will go for their fourth consecutive state championship tonight at 9:05 against Ponte Vedra, which defeated Merritt Island, 3-1, in the other semifinal.
It was the second straight year American Heritage defeated Land O’Lakes 2-1 in overtime. And once again, it was a tight, well-played game by two strong teams.
The Patriots took a 1-0 lead in the first half when Dejah Cason came down the right side and fired a shot that hit off the hands of Land O’Lakes keeper Hannah Young and found the back of the net in the 23rd minute.
It stayed that way until the Gators tied it with just over 22 minutes to play in regulation on a header by Samantha Epifanio.
Both teams had their chances to score late, but it went to overtime and when a penalty in the box was called on Land O’Lakes, both fan bases erupted.
It’s been a challenging season for the Patriots, but here they are again.
“We have so many people with injuries,” Heritage coach Cindy Marcial said. “We’re trying to put people in positions that we can play. Wewere playing with one forward, keeping everyone back. We found a way.”
No one was feeling the emotion more than Soree, who was diagnosed with blood clots in her leg last February and faced a long road to just to get back on the field.
“It’s so amazing, this injury has been the hardest thing to overcome and it’s still so painful, so hard to do,” Soree said. “I thought my high school career could be over tonight, but we kept on pushing.
“I’m so proud of the team. Everybody worked so hard. I couldn’t be any happier to be here.”