Region final boys soccer: Unbeaten Gainesville stunned by Niceville in the final minute
All season, the Gainesville boys soccer team looked invincible. The unbeaten Hurricanes appeared destined to run the table in the Class 6A playoffs - barring a major upset.
Niceville delivered that upset Wednesday night to cut the script on Gainesville’s storybook season short of glory in a second-straight regional final loss at Citizens Field.
Eagles junior Adrian Pearson scored with just seconds remaining in regulation to stun the second-seeded ‘Canes 2-1 and advance fourth-seeded Niceville to Saturday’s state semifinals.
Niceville head coach Wes Nelson acknowledged his team’s difficult path through the regular season and the playoffs as an advantage when facing a team as good as Gainesville (16-1-1), losers of only two matches over its previous two seasons.
“We have the hardest schedule in 6A,” Nelson said. “And we’re battle tested and ready for these moments.”
Already having upset region top-seed Tallahassee Chiles en route to their matchup with the ‘Canes, the Eagles (16-4-3) trailed 1-0 for more than an hour of match time but were able to complete an unlikely comeback by keeping up the offensive pressure.
Final girls soccer team eliminated:P.K. Yonge drops girls soccer regional final heartbreaker to Bolles, 3-2 in overtime
This week in high school sports:Playoff schedule for Alachua County high school soccer, basketball
Here are three takeaways from Niceville’s stunning win.
Gainesville controls the ball and the scoreboard early
Right away, the sheer quickness and aggressiveness of both teams was evident as the first half was played at a blazing pace. Both teams had tired players take their seats on the pitch during the water breaks.
Gainesville controlled the ball and moved it around more patiently than Niceville before the break, but those roles flipped as the ‘Canes tried to protect a slim lead.
“This team physically beat you up,” Gainesville head coach Basil Benjamin said. “We got sped up a little, and we weren’t communicating and making good decisions.”
The Eagles had four good looks on goal in the half, but a formidable ‘Canes backline was waiting in the 18-yard-box every time Niceville tried a set on a long throw-in or a corner kick.
Gainesville junior Daniel Brown earned his team’s lone goal with more than 24 minutes to go in the first half after two other shots were deflected on the possession.
Morales comes back in a big way
Shortly before the break, the Eagles weathered another big blow when senior captain Ayden Morales left the match with an ankle injury. He received treatment at halftime, but wouldn’t return until well into the second.
When he did come back, though, his spark was irreplaceable.
Niceville’s designated player for throw-ins, the three-year starter made sure that the Eagles continued to pound the ball inside on set pieces.
Ultimately, his foot would be the Eagles’ tying grace, fighting through a broken play and scoring with 12:17 left on the clock.
“We just needed him so bad,” Nelson said. “He just gutted it out and found a way to put it in the back of the net.”
After Morales’ score, the Eagles’ touch on the ball returned to full strength. They were the aggressors in the final minutes as they were able to make composed runs in a tied match.
“I was proud of the way we didn’t stop attacking once we got the one we wanted,” Nelson said. “We really didn’t want to go into overtime.”
Pearson creates a bit of postseason magic
The ‘Canes defense looked equally determined to get back on top. Their trademark interior was stellar for virtually the entire night, using its length to meet anything coming in the box on a throw or corner kick with a header.
“They put a lot of pressure on us,” Benjamin said. “That long throwing was an issue.”
Gainesville’s best chance at a second goal came after Pearson fouled ‘Canes freshman Dylan Fitzpatrick at the 18-yard-line.
Senior Samual Pence narrowly missed the ensuing free kick on an athletic save from Eagles sophomore keeper Tanner Boxberger, who’s given up less than a goal per match this season.
A long toss from Morales catalyzed the winning score. On what became Niceville’s final opportunity to end the match in regulation, he hurled a ball into the box where Pearson was waiting to bank the ball off the left post and in.
By the time the teams reset at midfield, the center referee signaled the final whistle, and the Eagles faithful erupted.
“Gainesville’s a great team,” Nelson said. “Obviously, there’s a reason why they haven’t lost, but we found a way.”
Follow Caleb Wiegandt on Twitter at @CalebWiegandt.
This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Gainesville boys soccer suffers season-ending loss against Niceville
