Girls soccer: Lakeland Christian, Lakeland grab county titles

AUBURNDALE — Lakeland Christian can retain bragging rights as Polk County's best girls soccer team.

George Jenkins battled hard, but the Vikings prevailed with a 2-1 victory over the Eagles on Friday night in the Champions bracket title match of the Polk County Girls Soccer Tournament at Lake Myrtle Sports Complex.

The victory extends Lakeland Christian's winning streak to eight matches, and the Vikings are 9-0-1 since their last loss. The streak began with a 1-0 victory over Jenkins. The Vikings again end the season undefeated in the county with a tie vs. Ridge Community. George Jenkins' win over Ridge in the semifinals prevented an LCS-Ridge rematch.

Lakeland Christian (15-2-3), ranked No. 1 in Class 3A by MaxPreps and No. 8 overall in Florida, enters next week's district tournament battle-tested. LCS coach Jason Streets called this year's schedule the toughest schedule any of his teams have had.

"The good thing about the schedule we've had is we're finding ways to gut it out," Streets said. "Like when we give up a goal, we know how they respond and keep their composure. Any time there's a break, they come together and talk. You saw some really good leadership out of Katie Williams and KJ (Straub). It's kind of how the season has been going in these tough games. We've been finding ways to get a goal when we need it."

Despite being defending state champions, claiming county bragging rights with the victory on Friday remained important to the players.

"It meant a lot," Straub said. "With our season, it's been so tough this year, and we've had the most difficult season (schedule) we've ever played. GJ played a great game, and winning this game gave us a little more confidence going into districts."

Straub broke the scoreless tie about five minutes into the second half. Destinee Carroll sent a free kick into the box. Straub said Kaelyn Diaz got in front of the keeper and passed it back to her. Straub's goal was her seventh on the season, which ties her with Diaz for the team lead.

"It was wide open," Straub said. "Without her, I don't know what would have happened."

Straub, still just a sophomore, has emerged as a leader on the field for the Vikings this season. Later in the half when LCS was nursing a one-goal lead, she moved back to center back to solidify the defense with her speed.

George Jenkins never backed down. About two minutes after LCS scored, Kayleigh Losch capitalized on defensive breakdown when she had an open look in front of the goal and buried her shot for her second goal of the season. Ashley Cunningham assisted on the goal.

Other than that goal, LCS's backline of Karis Gibson, Katie Williams, Hannah Johnson and Emily Smith prevented Jenkins' leading scorers, Jenna Daniel, Georgiana Strawbridge and Siena Ferry from getting good scoring opportunities.

Later in the half, Carroll buried the game winner with a free kick from about 35 yards out.

Lakeland takes Premier title in PKs

Lakeland and Winter Haven battled to a tie in the second game of the season, so it shouldn't have been a surprise that the Premier bracket championship match between the two teams ended in a tie.

The Dreadnaughts, however, prevailed on penalty kicks, 4-2, to come away with another victory over Winter Haven with something on the line. In recent years, the Dreadnaughts have gained the upper hand over the Blue Devils in their rivalry.

From 2011 to 2014, Winter Haven won seven consecutive matches. However, since then, Lakeland is 10-3-4 vs. Winter Haven with its victories often coming in more meaningful situations. The Blue Devils won regular-season meetings in 2019 and 2021 only to lose to Lakeland in the district tournament a couple of weeks later. Lakeland also beat Winter Haven in the 2020 district tournament, and the teams are likely to meet again this year in the district semifinals.

"It's pretty even," Lakeland coach Lee Hughes said. "I have a pretty young team with seven freshman on varsity. Most nights, three of them are starting. The freshman class has been huge for us."

Naomi Garner has been one of the key freshmen as she is the team's second-leading scorer with 10 goals. Sophomore Sophia Olivera leads with 18 goals. Junior midfielder Reese Hughes is the third-leading scorer from a defensive midfield position so Lakeland will return a strong offensive core. Bethany Ziegler is the only top offensive player who is a senior.

Freshman Stella Johnson, who was out Friday night, has been big on defense.

The Dreadnaughts (12-1-2) go into next week's district tournament with the regular-season victory over the Blue Devils (9-5-2) thanks to their advantage on penalty kicks on Friday.

Winter Haven's Ellie Moore made her shot, and Hughes answered for Lakeland.

The Blue Devils then missed their next three attempts, two weren't on frame and goalkeeper Ella Sebree made a save, while Lakeland scored on its next two attempts with goals from Sebree and Bethany Ziegler.

Lakeland missed its fourth attempt but had already clinched the shootout. Winter Haven's Marley Miller and Lakeland's Garner then wrapped up the shootout with goals.

Winter Haven was without senior Courtney Blastic for most of the game. Blastic, who is tied for the team lead in points and is third with eight goals, scored two goals and added an assist in the early-season meeting. She left the game with an injury in the first half.

It was an evenly fought match as both team's defenses prevented many strong scoring opportunities.

Hannah Roop anchored Winter Haven's defense, while, Bree Horvatin and Melanie Sanchez led Lakeland's defense. Sebree, who is one of the top goalkeepers in the county, also had a couple of big saves.

Fort Meade finishes third

Fort Meade captured the third-place game with a 4-0 victory over Lake Region, getting two goals each half.

Elizabeth Perez kicked off the scoring on an assist from Marisela Martinez. Perez then set up Audrey Slater, whose goal gave the Miners a 2-0 halftime lead.

Yanily Cortez and Maireli Rosas each scored in the second half for the Miners.

Katelyn Hilt had the shutout in goal.

Roy Fuoco can be reached at roy.fuoco@theledger.com or at 863-802-7526. Follow him on Twitter: @RoyFuoco.

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Girls soccer: Lakeland Christian, Lakeland grab county titles