WINTER HAVEN — In soccer, being down two goals in the second half against a good opponent is most often a disaster.
However, the Auburndale Bloodhounds rebounded to score three goals in a little over 10 minutes to defeat Winter Haven 3-2 in the Boys 4A, District 7 tournament final on Friday at Denison Stadium.
Down 2-0, Auburndale’s Noah Sims launched a right corner kick to the far side where Ducarmel Jennestin leaped and headed the ball into the left side of the net at 32:10, narrowing the Winter Haven lead to 2-1.
Moments later Sims was awarded a free kick and promptly drove his kick 35 yards around Winter Haven goal keeper Jacob Wheaton finding the far side of the net at 27:44, tying the score at 2-2.
Alejando Alvarado scored on another Bloodhounds free kick.
His line-drive kick found the net just below the crossbar at 21:46, providing Auburndale their first lead of the game at 3-2.
At 14:01 Jeannestin was awarded his second yellow card, resulting in his ejection, putting Auburndale down a man.
However the Bloodhounds kept the Blue Devils from scoring to claim the district championship.
“I give Winter Haven credit as they came ready to play,” said Auburndale coach Guy Jennings. "They made this a great district championship game. When we were down two goals I told our guys to stay calm and we will get our chances. I am proud our guys fought back to score those three goals.”
“You can’t give a good team like that momentum,” said Winter Haven coach Bill Desmond. "We put pressure on them for three quarters of this game, but did not sustain it and they took advantage of our mistakes. They are a good team. Our guys played well; I am proud of them.”
Winter Haven (15-6) will travel to play the 4A-8 champion in the first round of regionals on Wednesday and Auburndale (17-1-2) will play host to the 4A-8 runner up.