TAMPA -- For the first 60 or so minutes, neither Monarch nor Palm Harbor University looked ready for prime time.

The teams combined for just one shot on goal -- a harmless long effort by Monarch -- and didn't come close to a goal.

Then the lights went down, and Palm Harbor woke up.

With just over 13 minutes left in regulation in the Class 5A state semifinal, the Pinellas County representatives tallied the only goal they needed to send Monarch back to Broward County.

For good measure, the Hurricanes added a late penalty kick to beat the Knights 2-0 at University of Tampa's Pepin Stadium on Friday night.

After the game, the Knights were disappointed, but made no apologies for their improbable run through the Class 5A regional playoffs.

''We left it all on the field,'' Monarch coach Stephen Lorenc said.

``I think they played fantastic. I couldn't be happier with their effort.''

Effort just didn't translate into offense.

Play was ragged until the second-half water break. Minutes earlier, the stadium lights cut out, leaving the two sides scuffling in the twilight.

Ben Sweat could see just fine though.

In the 67th minute, the Hurricanes midfielder collected a pass from P.J. McDonald at the top of the box, twisted to his right and fired a shot with his left foot past Monarch goalie Diego Cardoso.

Six minutes later, Palm Harbor University put it away.

The Hurricanes were attacking inside the box, and Cardoso took down Andrew Smith while the ball was free.

Forward Matthew Tobin then beat Cardoso with a well-placed penalty kick. Using his left foot, he slid it inside the right post.

The teams spent the first part of the game battling for the midfield.

Neither Monarch (18-6-2) nor Palm Harbor (23-4-4) put a shot on goal in the first half.

But Palm Harbor carried the play. Tobin broke free in the sixth minute, had a look at the goal, but sent the ball just left.

The second half wasn't much better, with the initial shot on goal not coming until the 55th minute. Felipe Nascimento drove a free kick on net, but it went right to Palm Harbor keeper Max Gallin.

But in the 67th minute, Palm Harbor forged ahead for good.

''Sure, I'm disappointed,'' Cardoso said, ``but I have to admit, this has been a really good ride.

``I won more than I lost here [Friday night].''

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