Sports Writer

Defense wins championships. If you get tired of hearing that, look at the Celebration boys soccer team.

Despite scoring just three goals in three regional playoff games — including one in the last two combined — the Storm is still alive, and plays in today’s Class 4A state tournament semifinals at the University of Tampa’s Pepin Stadium. Coach Julio Machuca’s team will face Cape Coral at 5:15 p.m.

Celebration (16-1-3) played Land O’Lakes Sunlake to a scoreless tie through 100 minutes of regulation and overtime in Friday’s Region 2 final before the host Storm won it, 4-3, on penalty kicks. Goalie John Birchall got enough of Sunlake’s final shot, taken by goalie counterpart David Danahy, to send it wide.

“It may have been wide anyway, but ‘Birch’ guessed right and dove left, he would have stopped it,” Machuca said.

In the shootout, Mike Anderson, Dominic Barros, James Anderson and Jehov Pardo de Figueroa buried their shots. Up 4-3, Miguel Cortes could have won it on his shot, but Danahy stopped it, setting up a crucial moment between he and Birchall, a sophomore.

“I just told myself it was my time to step up and bring it home for the team,” Birchall said. “There’s like a one percent chance of stopping one of those, you just dive and hope you guess right and stop it. When I saw it hit off the post I just started screaming and running, I didn’t know where. We’re going to state and it’s a dream come true.”

That moment was just as harrowing as all 100 minutes before it, Machuca said.

“I think I aged a few years on Friday. The time before it went to kicks was kind of torture,” he said. “Sunlake surprised us with their speed and tenacity and got some early breakthroughs.

“After that, our team adjusted well and realized they needed to anticipate their long passes. At the half our kids were saying, ‘Keep shooting and the goal will come.’ There was no panic.”

Machuca also said the game was a showcase of two skilled goalies at their best.

“Birchall had a great game coming off his line to eliminate scoring chances, and (Danahy) played outstanding and kept them in the game,” he said. “I credit him because I thought we played well enough to score a couple goals.

“I didn’t say anything to John going into the PKs. We work on them in practice and he’s good at reading shooters. And I told the shooters that they should feel ready, decide where you’re shooting early and focus on the ball.”

Machuca said that he isn’t concerned about the power outage that has hit his once-potent offensive attack. Center midfielder Santiago Echeverri is still serving a suspension for a red card in the District 6 finals.

“When you get to this level, teams play good defense and pressure the ball everywhere, and goals are at a premium,” he said. “With our defense right now, we feel like one goal should be enough.”

Birchall concurs with the “One Is Enough” mantra, because of the play of defenders Anderson, Barros and Brian Santos.

“I trust those guys with everything,” he said. “They’re the best guys I’ve probably ever played with.”

Cape Coral represents the fourth district runner-up the Storm will see in the playoffs.

“I don’t know what to read into that but it’s good for things to go our way for a change. We’re excited to be going to the state tournament for the first time,” Machuca said. “We have to concentrate, more than ever, on committing to our game plan and embrace the opportunity. If we play our game and stay in it we’ll do well.”

Choctawhatchee and Miami Belen Jesuit play in today’s other semifinal at 3 p.m. The winners will play for the 4A championship at 2 p.m. Saturday.