Like it has done three previous times this postseason, the Saint Stephen's boys soccer team fell behind.
But unlike those three other playoff matches, the Falcons had no answer for Maitland Orangewood Christian in Wednesday's Florida High School Athletic Association Class 1A semifinal.
The Rams defeated Saint Stephen's 3-0 at Eastern Florida State College.
Orangewood Christian built a 1-0 lead on a second-minute goal and got stronger after that. The Rams outshot Saint Stephen's 23-2.
The Falcons (15-2-4), who were eliminated in the 1A semifinal for a second straight year, lose two senior starters.
Meanwhile, the Rams (20-1-3) kept their scoreless streak intact as they've yet to allow a goal in seven playoff matches. In fact, Orangewood hasn't conceded since Jan. 13. It's the first time the program has advanced to the state championship game in the winter soccer season.
The Rams play at 3:05 p.m. on Thursday for the 1A title against the winner of Lakeland Santa Fe Catholic and Miami SLAM Academy.
Read more about the game in Thursday's editions of the Bradenton Herald.
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