LIVE OAK, Fla. — Suwannee knew it had to play a near-perfect game on Thursday to defeat a Paxon team that can score quickly and in bunches.

The Golden Eagles showed their offensive prowess, taking advantage of some early opportunities to gain a 5-2 win at Paul Langford Stadium. 

Suwannee controlled possession for most of the game’s first 15 minutes, but Paxon seized control with a goal in the 16th minute, and never let go of the lead.

The Golden Eagles (8-3-1) scored their first goal after a long throw-in and consecutive headers found the back of the net. They used another throw-in to set up a goal in the 30th minute, taking a 2-0 lead.

“Those two easy ones put us in the hole,” said SHS coach Bill O’Briant. “I think it would have been a different situation if we didn’t give up those two easy ones.”  

After falling behind, O’Briant said he changed his team’s formation, putting three players at the top to try and get back in the game. 

With that aggressive attack, Suwannee got on the board in the 56th minute with a goal from Hunter Merola. The Bulldogs scored again in the 70th minute on an Alex Rang goal that was assisted by Charlie McCullers.  

After going ahead 2-0, Bryant Brodeur, Sharawt Maran and Mathew Cordek added goals for Paxon, giving PHS a 5-0 lead before Merola’s score.

Suwannee is 5-5-1. The Bulldogs travel to Stanton Prep High on Thursday for their final district game of the regular season.