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Highlands Today

Dragons Pull Off 'Brave' Victory

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Highlands Today Staff Report

Published: December 16, 2007

LAKE PLACID — Antonio Santana scored two goals and captain Hugo Medina netted two goals — including the game-winner — as Lake Placid rallied to beat McKeel Academy 5-4 in boys soccer on Friday night at rain-soaked Roger Scarborough Memorial Field.

The Class 3A Green Dragons trailed for most of the match, but refused to quit to improve to 1-4 in District 10 action.

"This was a brave win," said Lake Placid coach Josh Virkler. "We were down two goals at two different points in the match, and it would have been easy for the guys to quit because the conditions were pretty severe."

McKeel took a 2-0 lead just seven minutes into the match on the rain-slicked field.

Lake Placid answered with a goal by Santana, who headed the ball in off a corner kick.

The Wildcats scored to take a 3-1 lead, before Santana scored just before the half to make it 3-2. McKeel scored to go up by two goals, but Medina scored on a free kick and Kyle Thompson netted a rebound shot to tie the match with 20 minutes remaining.

Vicente Ramos was taken down in the penalty box and Medina blasted the penalty kick into the net with under 15 minutes left in the match.

The Green Dragon defense did the rest to preserve the key win.

"I'm so proud of the kids," Virkler said. "They kept fighting back and this is the kind of win that should give our confidence a boost."

Lake Placid plays another key district match against Frostproof on Tuesday night.

"We know Frostproof is good," Virkler said. "We've been playing well, but haven't been scoring and maybe now we're on the right track."

GIRLS SOCCER: McKeel 3, Lake Placid 2

LAKELAND — McKeel Academy scored three unanswered and the Lake Placid girls soccer team had an own-goal on Friday night as the Wildcats nabbed a frustrating 3-2 victory over the Green Dragons.

Erica Resendiz and Ali Lopez each had goals for Lake Placid (3-4-3, 2-1-2), which led 2-0 and appeared on its way to a district victory before costly miscues doomed its chances.

"We played well, but then we made some really horrible mistakes that cost us the game," said Green Dragon coach Liz Sottile. "It's very frustrating to see the potential we have and not live up to it."

The Dragons look to bounce back on Tuesday, when they host Frostproof. Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m.

BOYS BASKETBALL: Lake Placid 70, McKeel 60

LAKELAND — Josh Hickey had a game-high 20 points to lead the Lake Placid boys basketball team to a 2-0 start in District 10 with a 70-60 victory over McKeel.

The Green Dragons, who were without senior Conlin Veley due to an ankle injury, host a critical district match on Tuesday against Frostproof.

BOYS BASKETBALL: Avon Park 66, Palmetto 62

AVON PARK — Jerry Sullivan and Marvin Williams scored a team-high 12 points to lead Avon Park past Palmetto 66-62 in boys basketball on Friday night.

The Class 4A win improved the Red Devils to 1-6 in District 10 play.

"It was great to get that first win," said Avon Park coach Luther Clemons. "We've been in a lot of close games and it's nice to have one go our way.

"The kids were ecstatic and I'm happy for them because they earned this win."

Avon Park's Ricky Taylor and Cleveland Nobles scored 11 points each as the Red Devils took a 29-23 lead into the half.

"We talked before the game about the kids relaxing and having fun," Clemons said. "We still had too many turnovers, but we played good defense and executed down the stretch."

Another key for Avon Park was the ability to convert from the charity stripe.

The Red Devils made 10-of-18 attempts, including several in the last few minutes to seal the win.

"It shouldn't have been that close," Clemons said. "We had a 10-point lead and let them get back in the game. "But we stayed focused and made the plays down the stretch to get the win.

"The theme for the night was to have fun and I think we did that."

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