Lely ousted by Golden Gate in district touorney

The Lely boys soccer team fought hard, but didn’t match up to Golden Gate in a Class 3A-District 12 semifinal game on Wednesday night at Golden Gate.

A penalty kick and a mishit ball accounted for Golden Gate’s 2-0 win.

The Titans will meet Immokalee at 7 p.m. today at Golden Gate High in the championship contest. Immokalee, No. 4 seed, downed top seed Estero, 1-0, in overtime.

The Indians are in the title game for the first time since 2006 and the Titans earned their sixth trip to regional title game in seven years.

Lely goalie Sam Lozano was outstanding, making more than 15 saves, many at point-blank range.

“Sammy was unbelievable,” Lely coach Rob Schank said. “We didn’t play well tonight and they played whistle to whitsle. I will miss our seniors, they put their hearts on the line. They were examples to our younger players.”

No. 3 Golden Gate received a penalty kick goal from Eddie Tovar late in the first half and an insurance tally from Juvenal Loyola with 11 minutes left in the game to oust No. 2 Lely. It appeared Loyola meant to stop the ball with his head in front of the Lely goal, but instead hit a header into the net.

It was a physical game, with Golden Gate having the upper hand most of the time. Their speed and passing set up a number of shots on goal. Lely had four good scoring chances, but Titans goalie Maurico Ramos-Mancera was up to the test.

“We had a great season, but it just didn’t happen tonight.” Schank said.