Cougars erase 2-0 deficit to beat Stuart-Martin County 3-2.
By JIM OBERDIER
Published February 14, 2004
STUART - Durant was less than two minutes from watching Stuart-Martin County celebrate its first regional championship and state semifinal berth. Yet somehow, the Cougars were the ones celebrating at Tiger Stadium as they rallied from two goals down in the final 10 minutes of regulation in Friday's Region 2-6A final, winning 3-2 (4-1 on penalty kicks) for second time this week.
"I think these kids knew they had the capability to score two goals fast," Durant coach Dick Sheffield said. "If you keep working, good things will happen."
Plenty of good things did happen for the Cougars (19-4-4), who face Miami-Varela or Miami-Palmetto in the Class 6A semifinals Thursday in Fort Lauderdale, marking the third straight year they have reached the Final Four.
After two scoreless 10-minute overtimes, Durant's Alicia Tirelli, Lisa Hayman, Raelynn Wapinsky and Emily Stutzman got their penalty kicks past Martin County keeper Meghan Sellick. Because the Tigers' leading scorers, Holly Johnson and Elizabeth Gowan, sandwiched failed PKs around Christina Crooks' PK goal, Stutzman's goal ended the game and sparked a wild celebration.
"That's two years in a row," Tigers coach Tracey Little said, referring to last year's 2-1 loss at home to Wellington. "I thought we had it this year. You hate to end the season on PKs, but those are the rules."
The Tigers (23-3-1) appeared to have everything under control. Johnson finally got a shot by Durant keeper Megan Bowers at the 58-minute mark with a spinning left-footer from 6 yards. In the 61st minute, a miscommunication between Bowers and her defense resulted in a collision and a loose ball in front of the goal, giving Lindsay Haw an open shot for Martin County's second score.
The Cougars came back, beginning with a goal by Gabi Rivera at the 10-minute mark. Pinned near the right corner, Rivera hit a crossing shot that avoided the side of the net while squeezing between Sellick and the post.
About 81/2 minutes later, a wild scramble in front of the Martin County goal ended with Hayman punching in the tying goal. One game official said Hayman's goal came with 98 seconds left.
"To me, this is a case of a great show of heart," Sheffield said.
