Ferguson continues dramatic run with PK win over Columbus; Aquinas ousts South Broward
At Ferguson High, everybody loves Pasto.
As in, Anthony Pasto.
The Falcons’ goalkeeper won even more of his teammates’ and school faithful’s admiration on Friday night when he stopped two penalty kicks to help Ferguson top Columbus 4-3 in the shootout round in a Region 4-7A semifinal at FIU’s soccer stadium.
Ferguson (11-2-2) advanced to its first regional final since 2012 and will host Doral Academy on Wednesday at a site and time to be determined.
“He’s a captain and a leader on the team,” Ferguson coach Joseph Ojeda said. “He’s one of the most mature players we have on the team. I love Pasto. The kids voted for him as captain. He’s a role model student. Everyone loves Pasto.”
Daniel Tello, Franchesco Del Aguila and Rodrigo Cacarmo each made their shots as Ferguson was even with Columbus for the first three PK rounds. Pasto’s first save on a shot by Benjamin Ochoa was answered by a save by Columbus goalie Alonzo Montero on a shot by Ferguson’s Andres Montoya.
Pasto’s second key stop in the shootout came when he dove to his left to stymie a shot by Columbus senior Lucas Villanueva. Ferguson’s Jesus Canas then fired a shot into the back of the net to clinch the victory and send the Falcons racing toward the stands to celebrate with fans and their families.
Even after the commotion dissipated a bit, Pasto was still surrounded by Falcons supporters who were giving him hugs and high-fives.
“I’m too happy to speak right now,” Pasto said. “I’m just really happy for my teammates and my school, the parents, the administration, everyone. I’m at a loss for words right now.”
Even before his penalty kick heroics, Pasto anchored the Falcons’ defensive efforts as Ferguson was forced into survival mode after one of their players was issued a red card with nine minutes remaining in regulation, putting them one player short the rest of the match.
Columbus outshot the Falcons 14-5 overall, but Pasto made eight huge saves to keep the game square at 1 goal apiece.
“All I can say is I’m so proud of them for the way they fought,” said Ojeda, who played for Ferguson and graduated in 2018. “From going down to 10 men against a team like Columbus, which is a great team and kept creating chances, to stay resilient and stay united until we got it to pens (penalty kicks). We knew we had a great keeper and he’d help us win.”
Ojeda coached one season at Southwest Miami before returning to coach his alma mater last season, along with fellow Ferguson alum Johnathon Buraglia.
On Friday night, they watched their team continue its best playoff run in over a decade as Cacarmo opened the scoring in the ninth minute when he took a long pass and chipped it over an oncoming Montero for the game’s first goal. It didn’t take long for the Explorers (13-7-4) to knot things up after Jorge Gonzalez-Tello drew a foul inside the 18-yard box. Gonzalez-Tello then took his own penalty kick to tie the match in the 13th minute.
Possession remained fairly even throughout most of the match until the red card noticeably shifted momentum Columbus’ way.
But the Explorers were unable to convert on numerous chances including those turned away by Ferguson defenders or Pasto.
“We just had to settle down the back line and play a strong game defensively,” Pasto said. “Thank God for that one goal by Rodrigo that helped us keep the game close. I know half the Columbus team. They’re all my boys so I knew how to get in their heads. At the end of the day, it’s all love.”
▪ Region 4-7A semifinal - Doral Academy 1, Stoneman Douglas 1 (Doral wins 3-2 PK): Nicolas Sulburan scored the lone goal for the Firebirds (12-7-3) in the second half. Nicholas Yanes, Miguel Pacifico and Diego Gutierrez each converted their penalty kicks in the shootout. Goalkeeper Gianfranco De Crescenzo saved one penalty kick to help secure the victory.
Doral advanced to the regional finals for the sixth consecutive season and will try to advance to the state final four for the fifth consecutive season when it faces Ferguson.
▪ Region 4-6A semifinal - St. Thomas Aquinas 2, South Broward 1: Having lost both meetings in the regular season and a penalty kick heartbreaker in the district final two weeks ago, the Raiders beat the reigning state champion Bulldogs when it counted the most on Friday night.
On the strength of two early goals (before the first half water break) by Rayne Archuleta and Francis Owino, the No. 4 seeded Raiders jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead and rode solid defense the rest of the way to upset the defending 6A champions on their home field.
“I’ve been complaining about our lousy defense all season long so our kids picked a great night to really pick it up and play solid defense against a really good team,” Aquinas coach John Walsh said. “Tonight was a real gut-check for us and our kids answered the bell.”
South Broward scored with 10 minutes left in regulation to slice the Raiders lead in half but could not find the equalizer. St. Thomas (17-6-3) will travel north to Boca Raton on Wednesday to take on Olympic Heights which defeated Miami Beach in a penalty kick shootout in the opposite semifinal.
BILL DALEY
▪ Region 4-6A semifinal - Boca Raton Olympic Heights 1, Miami Beach 1 (Olympic Heights wins 12-11 PK): Thiago Marchisone scored the lone goal for the Hi-Tides (16-4-2).
▪ Region 4-5A semifinal - Pembroke Pines Charter 6, Jensen Beach 0: Logan Hall scored two goals and had two assists to lead the top-seeded Jaguars (17-0-2). Justin Treasure, Daniel Vidaurre, Kevin Saavedra and Carl Hans-Joseph each had one goal. Pines Charter will next host Varela in the Region 4-5A final on Wednesday night with a chance to advance to the state semifinals for the second consecutive season.
▪ Region 4-4A semifinal - Mater Lakes 4, TERRA 3: Fernando Carrasco scored three goals to lead the Bears (21-1-1) to a dramatic double-overtime victory on Friday at Milander Park. Liam Barzola also scored a goal.
MORE SCORES
▪ Region 4-5A: Varela 1, Archbishop McCarthy 0; 4-4A: Belen 2, Somerset Academy 1.
