It was not the first time Baylor's soccer Red Raiders have seen a lead disappear, but with the season on the line they were determined to rewrite the script when a halftime edge turned into a second-half deficit.
The resilient home side netted two timely goals to escape with a 3-2 win over Pope John Paul II in the first round of the Division II-AA state tournament Saturday.
"That game directly reflects what our season has been like," Baylor coach Curtis Blair said. "We've been up and had teams come back. They fought through it. It's like a weight off our shoulders to say, 'Hey, you can come back.'"
Baylor (5-7-6) got a first-half goal from Keegan Weekley but could not convert a number of opportunities to seal the match, and PJPII was eventually able to capitalize. The Knights were quiet for most of the first half, but Andrew Harrison gave his team life in the second frame.
Harrison corralled a throw-in well outside the box near the sideline and fired away, tucking the ball under the crossbar just out of the keeper's reach. With 14:00 to play, he got in the way of a defender's attempt to clear the ball and was able to control the deflection and finish for the 2-1 lead.
"We felt good because we knew we were creating a lot of dangerous chances," Blair said. "This time of year, you have to put those away. Give (the Knights) credit. They were able to capitalize on our mistakes."
Victor Ulmo ended Baylor's scoring woes with a quick response, scoring just two minutes after PJPII grabbed the lead. Luis Felipe Guarnieri fought off defenders at the top of the box and was able to slip it to Ulmo, who struck one low and hard for the equalizer at 2.
The goal shifted the momentum away from the Knights, who also got a boost from goalkeeper Kyle Sanginario's six saves, two of which came in the game's final scramble with just more than a minute to play.
Rob Moore flicked a pass forward to Chase Viland, who shot from the right side, but it was saved for a corner. Ulmo was on the receiving end of the ensuing kick and slid to direct the ball on goal, but it was knocked away again.
Moore eventually was able to head a bouncing ball out of the keeper's grasp and net the game winner.
"We've worked on finishing more this year in training," Blair said. "It's a mental block we have to get over. That's why those forwards at the highest level get paid millions of dollars. I'm proud of our guys. They fought to the end whistle."
Baylor will meet a familiar foe in the quarterfinals in Christian Brothers from Memphis. Christian Brothers ended the Raiders' season in the state semifinals last year.
"This is a whole new team, so we're excited," Blair said. "We feel like we can beat anyone."
Contact Idris Garcia at sports@timesfreepress.com