STANTON DEFEATS FORT WALTON BEACH TO ADVANCE TO REGIONAL FINALS

BY FABRIZIO GOWDY | FEB. 20, 2021 | SPORTS

The Stanton College Preparatory School boys soccer team is one step closer to States after defeating the Fort Walton Beach High School Vikings 2-1 in the Regional Semifinals at home  Saturday.

The Blue Devils and Vikings entered the high-stakes semifinal match almost identically ranked; Fort Walton came in ranked 7th in the region and 80th in the nation according to MaxPreps, while Stanton was ranked 8th regionally and 83rd nationally. 

Stanton scored first, taking a 1-0 lead early in the 10th minute. Junior keeper Sebastian Brunner threw the ball out in front of senior striker Miles Andre, who in turn booted it downfield to senior mid Jake Faltemeir. Andre's pass upfield could not have been placed any better, dropping right at Faltemier's feet as he sped past Fort Walton's final line of defenders. Faltemeir possessed the ball before taking a tough shot from the left corner of the box; his shot snuck inside the left post, just out of reach of well-positioned Vikings' keeper Lucas Burke.

It was one of the Blue Devils' best-executed goals all season, with the ball traveling the length of the field in just 15 seconds. The score seemed to rattle the Vikings, who struggled to contain Faltemeir over the course of the first half. Stanton was able to play multiple effective through-balls and threaten the Fort Walton defense.

While the Blue Devils had the edge for most of the half, the Vikings managed to find an answer in the 36th minute. Junior forward Kenny Medina beat Sebastian Brunner to a loose ball at the top of the box, knocking it past the Stanton keeper for a game-tying goal late in the half.

The goal marked only the second time the Blue Devils had been scored on at home. According to head Stanton Coach Steve Stone, his players tried to persuade him to make a halftime adjustment. Several players wanted to switch from four midfielders to three, but Stone resisted this request, sending his players out to start the second half in the same 4-4-2 lineup.

Both sides sensed the enormous stakes at play, creating a tense second half. Every call was contentious as a large, highly engaged Stanton crowd sat on the edge of their seats. Braving the chilly February temperatures, Several dozen students made for a louder-than-usual student section, heckling Fort Walton's players and adding to the tense atmosphere. 

Miles Andre, who had the assist on the Blue Devils' first goal, took matters into his own hands to score another Stanton goal in the 60th minute. Andre took possession of the ball, worked his way through four Vikings defenders, and unleashed a high shot from outside of the 18-yard box. The home crowd erupted as the ball found the back of the net. Andre and an entourage of his teammates poured onto the sideline, where they were high-fived by students crowding the fence before being called back onto the field.

The final 20 minutes saw Stanton defend its lead as the clock wound slowly down. Brunner capped off a near-perfect night with several saves down the stretch, foiling the Vikings’ late attempts at an equalizing goal. Even with several late free kicks, Fort Walton was unable to come up with a goal, sealing its fate.

Fort Walton had gotten to the Semis after defeating Booker T. Washington High School in double overtime, outlasting Gulf Breeze High School in penalty kicks to win its district, and trouncing Orange Park High School 6-0 in the quarterfinals. Stanton’s road to the Semis involved cruising past Middleburg and Orange Park High Schools to win its district before edging out Gulf Breeze High School at home in the quarterfinals.

Stanton (12-1-5), one win away from returning to States, now travels to Seabreeze High School in Daytona Beach, Fla. Tuesday for the Regional Finals. Fort Walton is eliminated from the postseason with a final record of 10-6-1.