CITRUS PARK - Playing with broken hearts and black armbands, Jesuit players won their opener 3-2 over Wharton in the Admiral Invitational Soccer Classic on Saturday at Ed Radice Park.
The armbands were for Bill Burton, the former Jesuit junior varsity coach who had trained most of the players now on the varsity team. The news of his death on Friday hit the team hard after their training session.
"Telling them that sad news was probably the hardest thing I've ever had to do as a coach at Jesuit," Bob Bauman said. "(Burton) taught them self-respect, dignity, and character. We were all lucky to have known him."
Bauman said the team will wear the armbands all season in Burton's honor.
The Tigers (6-2-2) went up 1-0 in the 33rd minute on Ryan Brennan's goal from the left side. Wharton (8-2) tied it when Adman Keaton headed in a cross from Nick Zimmerman.
Santi Alexis gave Jesuit the lead again in the second half when he scored on a breakaway, and Nick Plasiencia made it 3-1 with nine minutes remaining.
However, Zimmerman found Ognjen Perucica a minute later to pull within 3-2.
In other action, Gaither (9-0-2) stayed unbeaten with a 2-1 win over Merritt Island. Kory Kubly tapped in the winner with two minutes left.
Pool play continues Monday, and the playoffs start Tuesday.
