Windermere High School overcame a two-point deficit in the FHSAA boys soccer state tournament, but was unable to capitalize on its late numerical advantage against a stout opponent.
The Wolverines (16-2-1) tied Boca Raton (23-0-2) 3-3 in the Class 7A semifinals Thursday afternoon at Spec Martin Stadium in DeLand. They lost 5-4 in the penalty shootout.
Windermere's final penalty shot flew over the crossbar, ending the match played in rainy conditions.
Windermere senior Enzo Valiante scored with 1:42 left in the first overtime on a deep shot from well beyond the 18-yard box.
Boca Raton, who played the final 30 minutes with just nine players, tied the score with a penalty kick less than a minute into the second overtime following a Windermere blunder.
As the Wolverines were preparing to take a goal kick, a whistle was blown for a field player resetting the ball with his hand.
The game was fraught with yellow cards and suspensions due to player injuries.
Senior standout Jose Moetnes scored on a penalty kick in the second half as Windermere cut the lead to 2-1 with 20 minutes left.
The Wolverines tied the score at 2 just before Boca Raton went down by one and were given a blue card with 11 minutes left in regulation.
The Bobcats lost an extra player to a blue card about a minute later, forcing them to play the rest of the game shorthanded, including 10 minutes of overtime.
Boca Raton built a 2-0 lead with a first-half goal and took another lead with 25 minutes left in regulation time.
This article originally appeared on OrlandoSentinel.com. Email JC Carnahan at jcarnahan@orlandosentinel.com.
