Freshman Cordner scores twice, lifts East Ridge into Final Four

Nicholas Aquilino posts his 14th shutout in the Knights’ 3-0 victory over Winter Park

CLERMONT, FLORIDA – Freshman Elijah Cordner came off the bench to set up an East Ridge goal, then scored two more Wednesday to help the Knights beat Winter Park, 3-0, in the FHSAA Class 7A, Region 1 final. That lifted East Ridge into its first-ever state semifinal.

If the regular-season rankings hold, the Knights (17-3-1, seeded No. 11 overall in FHSAA 7A) will play at sixth-seeded Boca Raton at 7 p.m. Saturday. Boca Raton beat seventh-ranked Celebration, 2-1.

No. 12 Doral Academy will play at No. 3 Lithia Newsome. Doral beat No. 37 Coral Gables 1-0 in Region 4, while Newsome beat No. 5 Tampa Plant 5-0 in Region 2.

East Ridge freshman Elijah Cordner came off the bench, Wednesday, to score two goals and add an assist in his team's 3-0 victory / Photo by Lynn Ramsey

“This is my third trip here to the regional finals, and we finally broke through this year,” East Ridge coach John Quirk said. “The boys put in a lot of hard work to get here.”

Several underclassmen provide a spark for the Knights. Cordner took center stage after coming off the bench.

“I’ve got so many guys who come off the bench and do amazing things. Eli’s just one of them,” Quirk said. “He could start, he could come off the bench. He, along with a couple other guys, are super important to have those guys ready to go.”

Loden, part of a 12-person senior class that had led the Knights to three consecutive region finals, broke the shutout with 26:30 left in regulation. Cordner sent a wide ball to Loden, who dribbled down the sideline. His centering pass then went in off a Winter Park defender, putting the Knights up 1-0 with 26:30 left in regulation.

Loden had battled an ankle injury that limited him to 10 minutes in Saturday’s 3-1 win vs. Timber Creek. Quirk said that Loden rehabbed well.

“I saw them coming in, and I decided to play the ball across the box and see what happened,” Loden said. “It worked out in our favor.”

Cordner made it 2-0 Knights with 15:22 left. Amir Taylor took a throw-in, then found Cordner just outside the 6-yard box. Cordner shook loose a couple Wildcats, then beat the keeper lower left.

Cordner took another Taylor assist and turned it into a 3-0 lead with 2:12 left.

“I don’t even care that I scored. I was just thankful that I got to contribute,” Cordner said. “Amir was on fire.”

Winter Park (15-2-2) was trying to reach its first Final Four since advancing to the 2016 Class 5A final. Winter Park had a height advantage in the Wildcats’ defensive end, which prevented the Knights from scoring on corner kicks.

Winter Park had several chances. Defender Stefan Panic nearly hit a lightning strike just before the half. Panic intercepted an East Ridge clear-attempt about 40 yards out, then ran left into the corner. He then lofted a shot that East Ridge keeper Nicholas Aquilino had to leap to save.

After the Knights broke the shutout, Mattheus Silva had a chance at an equalizer. He shot on frame away from Aquilino. But Jonathon Green blocked the kick.

“They’re a big, strong, physical team,” Winter Park coach Tom Traxler said. “We like to get the ball in the box and cause some chaos, and they handled it very well. The first goal, 8 overlapped. Came with a good overlap ball. As a defender, you’re trying to get the ball cleared, but it redirects the wrong way.

“After that, we’re chasing them a little bit, trying to get bodies forward, trying to get goals. When you do that, you’re going to leave gaps in the back. They’re a good team now that we’re going to support moving forward. Hopefully they can take the whole thing. If you go out, you want to go out to the champion.”

The Wildcats tested Aquilino frequently, forcing the junior keeper to make nine saves to post his 14th shutout.

Aquilino said the Wildcats were playing the long ball frequently. He countered by playing high in the box. He also was ready for quick saves.

“I love the pressure,” Aquilino said. “I love the feeling it gives you.”

East Ridge’s Jackson Sandoval also headed away several long throw-ins and corner kicks into the box.

“I can’t talk enough about these guys,” Quirk said. “I said at the beginning of the game, ‘If we can get to three, I’m positive we can win because of that back line and because of Nick. A tremendous job. Those boys have been with me for four years.”