Sports Writer

The Harmony girls soccer program scored a landmark win on Thursday, defeating two-time defending district champion Eustis, 1-0, in Eustis.

The Longhorns (4-1) made an Anna Blanchard goal off a direct free kick in the 15th minute hold up with a tenacious defensive effort in the second half.

 

"It was a tremendous win, we've never beaten them," Coach Stephanie Jones said. "The girls remembered the 8-0 loss to them in the district championship last year. Our motto is, 'No regrets,' and our girls went out there with the intent of playing their best game."

Harmony is now 3-0 in Class 4A District 6 play after Thursday and a 4-0 win over St. Cloud on Tuesday.

"And we're still not at full strength yet," Jones said, referring to three players still in fall sports.

The Longhorns won't take the field again until Dec. 6, when they play their final three 4A-6 matches (at Oak Ridge, Dec. 7 vs Celebration, Dec. 13 vs. Poinciana) in eight days.

"I kind of like it that way, we got banged up (at Eustis)," Jones said. "We'll have time to heal and to practice, because we have things to fix that a team like Eustis would jump on."

In boys soccer, Gateway defeated Vero Beach 5-0 on Thursday to go to 2-0 in 6A District 6 and 3-0-1 overall. Andres Jara scored three goals and Carlos Rojas and Sandro Salazar added one apiece.

"The game started very slow and the kids found their rhythm," GHS Coach Oswald Attin said. "The kids are playing really well together they are stepping up well."