AUBURN – The Waynflete School boys’ soccer team knows what it is like to lose in penalty kicks.

The Flyers experienced that heartbreak last fall in the tournament. So, Saturday’s victory in the second round of penalty kicks was equally stressful and unnerving but far more rewarding.

The Flyers stunned second-seeded St. Dom’s with a 2-1 victory in a Western C semifinal, ending the reign of the defending Class C state champions.

“It’s incredible,” said Waynflete goalie Chris Gillespie. “They’re our longtime rivals. It’s amazing to finally beat them, first time in my lifetime. It’s a wonderful feeling.”

With the disappointment of last year’s penalty kicks still lingering, the Flyers (6-7-3) were diligent in preparing for similar circumstances. Waynflete scored on eight of the nine penalty kicks it took over two rounds against the Saints.

“We spent a lot of time in practice the last two weeks preparing for this,” said Waynflete coach Brandon Salway. “I think for the kids, it was just old habit. Practice pays off.”

After both teams scored four in the first round, the Flyers won the second round, 4-2. St. Dom’s missed its first two and never recovered.

“Their PKs were all excellent,” said St. Dom’s coach Matt Erickson. “Generally, you want the ball to hit side netting, and I think all of their PKs except for one hit side netting. They definitely were solid with their PKs.”

It was a crushing defeat for the defending C champs and its eight seniors. The Saints (12-4) outshot the Flyers 26-15 and had a 13-4 advantage in corner kicks. St. Dom’s dominated much of overtime.

“It’s an interesting game,” said Erickson. “When you can dominate the play, especially in sudden death, but we couldn’t get on the end of anything to close it out.”

St. Dom’s had the lone goal of the first half. Matt Barlion volleyed a loose ball cleared by a Flyer defender with 17:41. The Saints had numerous opportunities in the opening half. Barlion had a pair of headers, including one that hit the right post. Danny Street hit the left post. Gillespie stopped anything in between.

“Chris was tremendous all game long,” said Salway. “We don’t get to this point without his play.”

St. Dom’s Nick Brigham was not to be outdone. He charged out to hinder a Robin Wajler breakaway. He made a diving stop when Wajler put a loose ball toward an empty net. Brigham even made a leaping save on a ball deflected off a St. Dom’s defender.

In the second half, the Flyers got the equalizer. Sam Cleaves put a free kick in front, and Wajler converted the loose ball with 27:59 left.

The Saints created intense pressure in overtime but failed to score. The best bid was a Barlion tip over his head, forcing Gillespie to make a leaping save.

“We played great in overtime, lots of chances,” said Erickson. “We had multiple shots today that hit the crossbar or the post. Either it’s our shooting technique or it’s bad luck, but those could have easily gone in, and they didn’t.”

The teams traded penalty kicks in the first round. St. Dom’s got scores from Casey Parker, Street, Jack Erickson and Barlion. Waynflete answered with Josh Bloom, David Gorsky, Cleaves and Hassan Jeylani. Jeylani’s tied the first round, 4-4. His shot deflected off Brigham, hit the right post and rolled over the goal line, ending a premature St. Dom’s victory celebration.

In the second round, Jon Mulderig shot wide and Gillespie made a stop on Shayne Curtis.

“I knew he was going to shoot right because he’s a lefty,” said Gillespie.

Waynflete built a 2-0 lead on goals by Wajler and Jay Witte. After Alex Parker and Tommy Ryan traded scores, the Saints cut it to 3-2 on a goal by Kurt Johnson. The Flyers sealed it when Danny Mitchell put a low shot inside the right post.

“When I walked down there I was thinking about it,” said Mitchell of his pressure situation. “But when I stepped up to the spot, I forgot about it. I picked the low right corner. I knew I had to go there. The goalie didn’t matter. I didn’t even look at the goalie, and I took the shot.”