There might not be two more evenly-matched boys soccer teams in the state than West Orange and Freedom. They tied in their regular season finale 2-2, and again battled to a 2-2 tie through 100 minutes of soccer in the 5A State Semifinals. And they were again even through seven rounds of penalty kicks, before West Orange goalkeeper Alec Holland was able to make the save on Santiago Valencia's penalty kick. Luke Shafer of the Warriors drilled his penalty kick into the back of the net for the Warriors, ending the game in dramatic fashion, 3-2 (8-7 PKs).
Freedom opened the scoring in the 13th minute, with a goal from Wilmer Fernandez, but West Orange was able to take a 2-1 halftime lead on goals from Paul Mansingh (21st minute) and Trevor Packey (23rd minute). Patriots star Santiago Patina tallied his 28th goal of the season to even the score in 44th minute.
West Orange will make their second state title game appearance in the last three years and will face the winner of Haines City-Cypress Bay in the 5A Championship live at 3 PM on Saturday on Bright House Sports Network (Channel 47/HD1147). The Warriors will look to bring home the Orlando metro area's first state title since Winter Park won in 1979.