POWDER SPRINGS, Ga. - The way Leonel Lugo described his championship-winning kick made it seem like time slowed down for the Southeast Whitfield High School senior in the biggest moment of his soccer career.
Tied at 2 with Druid Hills with less than two minutes to play in the second overtime period of Saturday's GHSA Class AAAA championship match at McEachern High School, the Raiders gained possession and pushed the ball deep. As a crowd of Red Devils defenders drew in on the ball, it somehow came loose and went across the Druid Hills goal.
There awaited Lugo, whose talented feet had no trouble gaining possession before nudging the ball past keeper Josh Lloyd as bedlam erupted in the stands.
"When I saw the ball, my eyes lit up and I knew I had to put it in for my teammates," Lugo said. "I asked Coach (Todd Close) if I could move to striker in overtime, and in the first overtime (period) I didn't do anything, but I got my shot in the second and made it count."
The Raiders (20-2), who dominated play from the start only to see a pair of penalty kicks send the game into overtime, easily ran out the remaining time to clinch their first state championship after two runner-up finishes.
"I guess third time is the charm," a beaming Close said. "Roller coaster is a really good way to describe that game. It was two great teams playing 90 minutes. That's what soccer is all about."
Lugo had a hand in each of the Raiders' goals. Just more than two minutes in, he used his speed to drive down the left side, eluding three Druid Hills defenders and making a perfect crossing pass to Uli Dominguez, who hit the back of the net for a quick 1-0 lead.
Fourteen minutes later, the Red Devils (16-7) responded after a handball was called on Southeast just in front of the goal. Luke Narker took the penalty kick and easily beat Southeast keeper Emanol Ponce to tie the game.
Southeast came back with 16:34 left in the half when Lugo took a pass at midfield and worked around a slew of defenders before freeing himself for a 20-foot laser from just left of the goal and a 2-1 lead.
Druid Hills, though, took advantage of a controversial penalty on Southeast inside the box to gain another penalty kick. This time Hesib Fudacel beat Ponce to the left back corner to tie the game eight minutes into the second half.
Though each team had a good scoring chance, the score remained tied until the second overtime period when Lugo scored his decisive goal.
"Leonel Lugo did it in the first half and waited until overtime to do it again," Close said with a smile. "I guess he likes drama."
Lugo, between hugs and pats on the back, said he predicted the championship months ago.
"Ever since the first day of tryouts, I've told my teammates that this is the year," he said. "We had too many seniors not to win it, and this team plays with heart. I just love soccer, and I love playing with my team."
Contact Lindsey Young at lyoung@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6296. Follow him on Twitter @youngsports22.