By: J. Daniel Pearson for Positively Osceola
Celebration, a team that has long dominated the Osceola County boys’ soccer scene, found itself in an unusual position as underdog in this week’s Orange Belt Conference championship tournament. But the fourth-seeded Storm responded in championship form – pitching three consecutive 1-0 shutouts to claim their third consecutive OBC title and sixth in the last seven years.
They wrapped up their latest title on Friday night, taking down second-seeded Tohopekaliga in double overtime. It was Celebration’s second overtime win of the week and this one came as freshman Yosberth Quintero – who was called up from the junior varsity just a few weeks ago – scored the game-winning goal with just seven minutes remaining.
Quintero’s goal came off a corner kick. Celebration got off a clean shot after the corner, but Tohopekaliga goalie Jason Barrientos made a great block. Quintero found the rebound at his feet and punched it into the right corner of the net for the only score of the game.
It was a great win for our team and our program,” Celebration assistant coach Chad Boudreaux said. “Lauren (Storm head coach Lauren Osborne) does such a great job with our defense. It certainly was the key to our win both tonight and for the entire tournament.”
The Tigers tried to put on a furious rally, almost getting the equalizer at the 5:17 mark. But Storm goalie Christopher Vargas was up to the challenge, making a terrific save off a shot taken on a set piece. A few minutes later, Antonio Quintana found the ball at his feet inside the Storm box. He was taken down on the play, but officials ruled it a clean tackle and Celebration was awarded a goal kick as the ball trickled away harmlessly past the end line.
The first half was played to a stalemate, as neither team dominated possession. Celebration got off six shots in the first half and Tohopekaliga had four, but only one each was on goal. The Tigers had a chance nine minutes into the game off a corner kick, but Vargas stuffed the shot. Barrientos returned the favor at the 16 minute mark – making a sensational diving save off of Jose Mazzarri’s free kick from outside the box.
Celebration began to asset some dominance in the second half, out-shooting Tohopekaliga 7-1 in the half, but none of those shots were on goal and the score remained tied after regulation. “We didn’t get a ton of good looks in regulation, but a lot of that had to do with Tohopekaliga’s defense, they played a really solid game,” Boudreaux said.
The Storm led the game in both shots (16-8), shots on goal (5-3), and corners (7-2). Each team was called for seven fouls.
The victory, Celebration’s sixth in a row, moved them to 7-2-2 on the season. It was also the sixth consecutive clean sheet posted by Vargas, arguably one of the best goalies in the state, who has allowed just seven total goals in nine games and has posted seven total shutouts . Tohopekaliga fell to 12-5-0 with the loss.
Although the game marked the end of the regular season, it may not be the last time these two teams meet this year. Celebration and Tohopekaliga – along with Harmony, Osceola and Poinciana – are all scheduled to participate in next week’s Class 7A, District 6 tournament. “We played a tough early season schedule and got off to a rough start,” Boundreaux said. “This tournament and this win in the championship should give us confidence moving forward into the post-season.”
In other OBC Tournament action on Friday, Gateway defeated St. Cloud, 5-1, in the third place game; Harmony knocked off Osceola, 2-1 in overtime in the fifth place game and Poinciana beat Liberty in the seventh place game.
Gateway, St. Cloud and Liberty are also slated to play in district playoff action this week. The Panthers and Chargers will play in the 5A, District 6 tournament; while St. Cloud will play in the 6A, District 7 tournament.
