The 2017-18 5A state soccer champions are no longer defending their title after Saturday night’s game at 1 Raider Place.
Using an aggressive style not unlike Plant City’s, Winter Park scored twice in the second half to leave town with a 2-0 win and a spot in the regional championship round. Both teams got plenty of scoring chances throughout the game but couldn’t capitalize until the 54th minute, when the Wildcats were able to convert on a rebound after a free kick. Winter Park got on the board again in the 66th minute, finding the back of an open net after slipping the ball just out of Plant City goalkeeper Gerardo Cruz’s reach in his attempt to get the stop ahead of time.
Paulino Ramirez did put a shot of his own past Winter Park’s goalkeeper, but it came just after the signal for the end of regulation and the goal did not count toward the final score.