Minutemen secure district soccer crown with double OT win

A goal in the second overtime by Stephanie Arrington lifted the Cocoa Beach girls soccer team to a 2-1 win against West Shore Friday night, giving the Minutemen the District 8 title.

The come-from behind victory securde home-field advantage for Cocoa Beach heading into regional playoffs.

“I’m so proud of these girls; they’ve done this all year long,” Minutemen head coach Fernando Teran said. “We started with 17 (players), we’re down to 11.”

Teran feels that his shorthanded lineup benefits in games that head into overtime, because the players are conditioned to handle the extra minutes.

“They’re really resilient girls,” Teran said.

After a scoreless first half, West Shore got on the board first in the 55th minute.

The Wildcats had momentum until Cocoa Beach got a break in the 83rd minute to tie it. Serena Neighbor had the equalizer, which sent the game into overtime.

“I was defending the back when (West Shore’s) goal was scored, and I was sort of partly at fault for that,” Neighbor said. “So I wanted to get it back.”

Arrington sealed the deal in the second overtime period with a game-winning shot that ricocheted off the post and into the net.

“I am notorious for missing close calls,” Arrington said. “So I saw that going out. But then it bounced on the pole and went straight in.

“I just collapsed and started crying right away.”

Cocoa Beach will host Bishop Moore in the regional round next week.