Sports Writer

Tuesday’s 4A Region 2 boys soccer semifinal was closer to zero on the 1-10 beauty scale, but now that Celebration is just 80 minutes away from the state tournament, Storm Coach Julio Machuca doesn’t care about winning any pageants — although he and his players do want a crown.

Sophomore Sam Rooks’ soft floating shot over the head of Tavares goalie Michael Perry was just enough to send Celebration on to the next round as the Storm downed the Bulldogs for the third time, 1-0.

Celebration (15-1-3) now moves to Friday’s Region 2 final, the round it fell in last year to eventual state champ Mitchell, and by the luck of the draw will host its third district runner-up. Land O’Lakes Sunlake, a 2-1 winner over Pasco on Tuesday, comes calling out of District 8 at 7 p.m.

Rooks, who was called up from the JV team right before the district tournament, stepped up and made his big play in the 46th minute with the Storm’s biggest offensive threats watching helplessly. Center midfielder Santiago Echeverri is still serving a suspension for a red card received in the District 6 championship, and forward James Anderson picked up two yellow cards in the first half to earn an early seat.

“We’ve put some great combinations together and we created some chances that we just couldn’t finish,” Machuca said. “And I have to credit their goalkeeper, who made some great saves.”

Celebration goalie John Birchall made a few huge saves himself to keep Tavares, 14-12-2, off the board. He turned away a free kick from just outside the goalie area in the 28th minute, and directed his defenders’ wall into the right position to force another Bulldog attempt wide of the net seven minutes later to keep the game scoreless into halftime.

Six minutes into the second half, Jose Perez brought the ball in on net, and when Perry came out of the net to defend him, he feathered a crossing pass to Rooks, the unexpected savior who lifted it softly into the net.

“This time of year, and in that situation, everybody has to step up and luckily guys like him did,” Machuca said.

Birchall then made a diving stop of a Sam Martins shot three minutes later, then the whole defense converged on a pair of Tavares corner kicks two minutes apart late in the game. Sweeper Brian Santos made a crucial back save of the second with eight minutes left to seal the win.

Machuca quickly turned his team’s focus to Friday immediately after Tuesday’s win.

“One game!” he told his huddle, referring to what stands between them and the state tournament in Tampa.

In a 6A region semifinal at Gateway, the Panthers (14-8-3) held a 2-1 halftime lead against West Orange before the Warriors scored four unanswered goals to win, 5-2.

The Florida High School Athletic Association has released the tentative soccer districts for the next two years.

Gateway and Liberty join Ocoee, West Orange, Olympia, Dr. Phillips, Freedom and Cypress Creek in 5A District 5. Celebration, St. Cloud, Harmony and Osceola join East Ridge, South Lake and Lake Minneola in 4A-6.

Poinciana plays with Crooms Academy, Trinity Prep, Bishop Moore, Lake Highland Prep and Orlando Jones in 2A-8.

Schools may appeal their placement.