RUSKIN — Good thing Tyler Hartlage had his suspension reduced from two weeks to two games, otherwise he would not have had a shot at Friday night's heroics.
The senior All-American scored in the first minute of the second overtime, lifting Jesuit to a 3-2 win over Steinbrenner in the Class 4A, District 9 final at Lennard.
"I was really excited to come back and play," Hartlage said. "This was such a key game. I'm so happy."
The victory gave Jesuit six straight district titles and 27 overall. It also was the second year in a row the Tigers defeated Steinbrenner in the district final. Jesuit won 3-0 last year.
Hartlage scored off a rebound during a goal-mouth scramble by waving off teammate Brett Durrance, who scored both Jesuit goals in regulation play.
"I saw Brett and he was ready to take a shot," Hartlage said. "I told him to leave it. To be honest, I kicked it as hard as I can."
Steinbrenner (15-4-2) took a 1-0 halftime lead on a Derek Wilkoz goal in the 37th minute. He tucked a shot just inside the right post off a throw-in from Austin Renz.
Jesuit (24-4) went ahead 2-1 on Durrance's two scores midway through the second half. He redirected Chase Goodwin's header in the small box to tie it before he added his 30th goal of the season by converting a cross from Hartlage.
But the Warriors weren't done. Connor Fleming, who had a hat trick in a 5-0 semifinal win over Lennard, tied the game at 2 in the 74th minute.
Both teams had chances in the first overtime with keepers from both sides — Jesuit's Patrick Danner and Steinbrenner's Christian Knight — coming up with crucial saves.
"Our guys worked hard and persevered," Jesuit coach Bob Bauman said. "We weren't going to be denied."
Loading...