Aurora – Aurora Central sophomore Luis Prieto said he had no words to describe his dramatic game-winning goal Wednesday against Palmer.
Thankfully, it’s a goal his teammates won’t soon forget.
With less than eight minutes remaining in the second overtime, Prieto got a long pass from David Gomez and sliced an arcing shot from the right side that hit the far post and bounced in for a 2-1 double-overtime victory at Aurora Public Schools Stadium.
“It’s 100 percent happiness for me and the rest of the team,” Prieto said.
The 15th-seeded Trojans (15-1) won their 13th consecutive game and advance to face second-seeded Overland in the second round of the Class 5A tournament.
Defender Mario Frausto opened the scoring for the Skyline League champions in the 51st minute with a wicked 40-yard shot before the No. 18 Terrors (7-6-3) equalized seven minutes later on a header by Ben Beasley.
The teams battled back and forth, exchanging numerous scoring chances in an up- and-down contest. Both teams were tenacious in the midfield and organized in defense despite waves of pressure.
“I took my hat off to this team; they played us hard,” Trojans coach Robert Jefferson said of the Terrors. “It’s a good group of guys, and we appreciated the fight at both ends.”
The Terrors, who were unbeaten in their previous eight games, had the best chance in the first overtime on a shot by Junya Nakayama, but the Trojans had the run of play in the second OT.
Prieto had his turnaround shot in the 100th minute denied by the post before he stuck the winner three minutes later to cap a counterattack.
Frausto was dangerous all evening on free kicks. The senior struck the top of the goal on a 35-yard shot in 23rd minute and then beat goalie Max Krakauer with a rifling drive from the midfield that curled to the far post.
Palmer 0 1 0 0 – 1
Aurora Central 0 1 0 1 – 2
Goals -AC: Frausto (H. Gomez), 51st minute; P: Beasley (unassisted), 58th; AC: Prieto (H. Gomez), 103rd.
Shots on goal – Palmer 2-3-1-0 – 6; Aurora Central 1-3-0-1 – 5. Saves – Palmer (Krakauer) 1-2-0-0 – 3; Aurora Central (Tellez) 2-2-1-0 – 5. Offsides – Palmer 0-1-0-0 – 1; Aurora Central 0-0-0-0 – 0. Corner kicks – Palmer 2-1-0-1 – 4; Aurora Central 0-2-0-0 – 2. Fouls – Palmer 8-9-1-0 – 18; Aurora Central 10-5-2-2 – 19. Yellow cards – Gaucin, AC, 8th minute; Guerra, AC, 55th.
