Haines City’s exciting and improbable run to the state tournament ended Friday evening at the hands of one of Florida’s premier programs.
Weston Cypress Bay (19-1-3) scored the lone goal of the match in the 23rd minute and made two huge defensive plays in the second half to preserve a 1-0 victory over the Hornets in the 5A state semifinals at Eastern Florida State College.
The Lightning, which won three consecutive state titles from 2011-13, will go for their fourth championship in five years Saturday afternoon against West Orange at 3:05pm on Bright House Sports Network.
Haines City (21-6-1) was making its first ever appearance in the state semifinals. The Hornets, who entered the regional playoffs as a district runner-up, had never won a region match prior to this year.
Haines City created several great scoring chances in the second half but Cypress Bay defenders thwarted the opportunities with two fantastic plays.
The Hornets nearly produced an equalizer with 15 minutes remaining in the match when a header that appeared destined for the net was kicked off the goal line by Cypress Bay’s Stefano Delgado.
The only score came midway through the first half when Nicholas Arboleda ripped a shot into the upper right hand corner of the goal from 12 yards out.
Haines City will graduate 11 seniors, including leading scorer Marvellous Olubela. Junior forward Jesus Coyt, who produced 17 goals and 12 assists, will be counted on to help the Hornets build on this season’s success.