Middleton, Fla. — The Villages High School girls soccer team looked to be well on its way to a fifth consecutive regional semifinal appearance.
That is, until Mount Dora equalized in the final minute of play.
After the Hurricanes' (15-3-2) season-saving goal, the Buffalo (10-4) and their erstwhile district rivals battled through two overtime periods before VHS eventually prevailed 2(3)-2(1) on penalty kicks.
"Our girls played like they wanted to win the game," VHS girls soccer head coach Brian Rausch said. "The seniors knew if they lost it would be their last game, and they played a very intense, physical game … I'm very proud of our effort all the way to the end."
The Buffalo and Hurricanes traded goals in regulation, with VHS getting its first from senior Katherine Probola and the second from Anna Rausch to take a 2-1 lead. Mount Dora scored with less than a minute remaining in the game to force extra time and penalty kicks, where Taylor Fugate stepped into the hero role.
Mount Dora missed its first PK and Fugate saved the next two. With seniors Anna Rausch and Gianna DiMaggio making two of the Buffalo's first four attempt, fellow senior Emma Johnson was able to close out the game with a third make, thanks to Fugate's efforts.
With the victory, the girls squad advanced to the regional semifinals for the fifth consecutive year and will face Satellite (17-4-1) at 5 p.m. Friday night in Satellite Beach, marking the first ever meeting between the two programs.
The Villages boys team didn't need quite as much drama in a prevailing effort against Nature Coast Tech (11-5-4), however, as the Buffalo (12-3) shut out the Sharks (11-5-4) by a final of 3-0 with all three goals coming in the first half.
Senior Joel Hernandez notched the first in the third minute, putting away a corner kick from Dylan Leonor. Senior Michael Florian scored the second on an assist from his brother, Sebastian, before assisting on the final goal by Jakob Snay.
The win was Buffalo's sixth straight and they feel they're in a good position to continue that run.
"We're playing well together as a team and our bond is just getting tighter," Michael Florian said.
In order to reach the program's fourth regional final, though, The Villages will have to defeat top-seeded Bishop Moore (21-2) at 7 p.m. Friday night in Orlando — something the Buffalo have never done.
"We have the skills, we just need the mentality," Hernandez said. "We just need to go in with the mentality that we have a chance to get all the way through if we beat Bishop Moore."
Drew Chaltry can be reached for questions or comment by calling (352) 259-6890.
