PANAMA CITY - Last-minute goals from Thomas Galicia and Carson Stewart saved Arnold's season as the Marlins defeated Fleming Island 2-1 Friday night at Arnold High School. Arnold, the defending Class 5A champion, is Elite 8 bound and will travel to Booker T. Washington for the Class 5A Region 1 Final.
The Marlins were down a goal after a scoreless first half but the desire for a goal was apparent with corner kicks and many goal-scoring opportunities. Arnold had a shot in the net in the first half get negated by an offsides call while Fleming Island got a header by Ryker Dailey that created a scramble in front of the Arnold goal.
Fleming Island finishes at 15-2-6 while Arnold improves to 16-1-4.
With two minutes left in the game, magic was made with a mistake from Eagles' goalkeeper Braiden Bucklew at the edge of the box, Galicia stole the ball and shot a goal at an angle that wouldn't register on any protractor.
"He knew where the goal was, put it there and what an angle man," Arnold coach Jonathan Hammond said. "We just asked God to give us another chance and perform in front of our hometown."
Just a minute later the Marlin's prayer would be answered with a well-worked team goal starting from the right with senior Travis Novak and finding the feet of Stewart who tapped it in.

St. Johns Country Day School's boys soccer team remains as the sole area team in the state playoffs after their surprising district championship win, 4-2 in overtime over University Christian. The Spartans, 5-10 will travel to St. Joseph Academy (16-7) in the region 1-1A quarterfinal on Tuesday, February 11 for a 5:30 p.m. kickoff.