By FABRIZIO GOWDY | Feb. 14, 2020 | Sports

The Stanton College Preparatory School Blue Devils varsity boys soccer team advanced to the 5A regional semifinals, with a wild 3-1 victory over the Gulf Breeze High School Dolphins at home Wednesday night.

“I just couldn’t be more pleased with the result. We got goals when we needed them, and now it’s off to Ponte Vedra,” said Stanton head Coach Steve Stone.

The game remained locked in a defensive stalemate for much of the first 20 minutes. The Blue Devils broke through in the 18th minute, when junior defensive back Ryan Dreibelbis scored inside the six-yard box to give Stanton a lead.

The Dolphins had the upper hand in the latter part of the first half, but ultimately were unable to score despite having several opportunities. Several saves by senior Stanton keeper Andrew Zalewa helped ensure a 1-0 Blue Devil lead at the half.

“We had a couple open goals we should have buried early on, but they had some chances too,” said Stone.

The game remained a tense, defensive battle until the 68th minute, when a Stanton foul inside the box set up a Gulf Breeze penalty kick. Dolphin midfielder Jayce Dotson’s shot snuck inside the lower left corner, tying the game at 1-1.

Gulf Breeze had Stanton on the run in the game’s closing moments as they picked up momentum. The Blue Devils survived a pair of dangerous Dolphin attacks, including a near miss on a counter attack in the 76th minute, and held on to force overtime.

“People don’t realize how good we are, especially defensively. The whole team played defense,” said Coach Stone, who credited not only his four defensive backs, but his entire team with holding Gulf Breeze to one goal.

Gulf Breeze seemed to have the upper hand for much of the first overtime until a pivotal corner kick in the 90th minute. Junior defensive back Chris Russell chipped the ball over the outstretched arms of senior Dolphin keeper Trevor Isakson. Isakson got his hands on the ball, but could not corral Russell’s shot, which slipped inside the left post.

“I just wanted a win for the team. I put my head down and shot, and it went in,” said Russell of his key go-ahead goal.

The second overtime saw an increasingly desperate Gulf Breeze side frantically trying to keep its season alive. The solid Blue Devil defense held off the Dolphins before a 99th minute goal by junior striker Miles Andre put the game away.

“Zachary Wagner played me a through ball; I took a touch and just put it in to finish them off,” said Andre.

Gulf Breeze suffers just its third loss of the season and is eliminated, while Stanton advances to play the Ponte Vedra High School Sharks. The semifinals will be held at Ponte Vedra on Feb. 15 at 7:00 P.M.

Stanton Stuns Gulf Breeze, Advances to Semifinals

By FABRIZIO GOWDY | Feb. 14, 2020 | Sports