Jesuit came out unfocused and played sloppy in the frosty air during Monday's second-round of the 17th Annual High School Soccer Classic at Shimberg Park.
After 80 minutes of regulation, the Tigers had slipped in two goals to tie Auburndale. What followed were 18 penalty kicks, the last made by J.J. Mubang to seal a 3-2 victory with an 8-7 advantage in penalty kicks.
Jesuit remained alive in the 16-team, pool-play format, but the Tigers need a victory today against Jacksonville Bolles to win the Group B pool and advance to Wednesday's semis.
"I don't know where our heads were (on Monday)," Jesuit coach Bob Bauman said. "Maybe we had a letdown after exams."
Jesuit, Gaither and Berkeley Prep are 2-0 with one game remaining in pool play, which ends today. Gaither advanced with a 5-1 victory against Orlando Dr. Phillips and Berkeley Prep defeated Stanton College Prep 6-0.
Nationally ranked Montverde is in position to take Group A after 3-1 and 2-0 victories against Wharton and Niceville.
In Group B, Tampa Prep is 1-1 after beating Land O' Lakes 2-1 on Monday. The Terrapins, however, need a resounding victory against Melbourne to have a chance at advancing.
"We played much better today and I think we're heading in a good direction," Tampa Prep coach Doug Smith said. "We're still trying to find that perfect formula, but I think we're getting closer."
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