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Late Goal Lifts Mulberry Over LP In Dsitrict Soccer

Mark Pinson/Highlands Today

A late goal lifted Mulberry past Lake Placid with a 3-2 score on Tuesday night’s Class 3A-District 8 tournament in Frostproof.

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By Mark  Pinson | Highlands Today

Published: January 23, 2008

FROSTPROOF — Diego Medina didn't want to leave the field or even think about taking off his Lake Placid jersey for the last time.

The Green Dragon senior captain had given his all — including scoring the tying goal midway through the second half — but it wasn't enough as Mulberry escaped with a 3-2 win in the semifinals of the Class 3A-District 8 tournament at Faris Brannen Stadium.

The disappointing loss was hard to fathom for Medina, who was a four-year starter for Lake Placid.
"It's tough to lose, but we came out and played a great match against a good Mulberry squad," said Medina. "We gave it our all, and I think this was one of our best efforts of the season.

"Being named a captain this year meant a lot to me and I was proud to wear this jersey, and I can't believe I'm never going to put it on again."

Mulberry moves on to play Frostproof, which defeated McKeel Academy 3-2 in overtime in Tuesday's other semifinal, for the district title on Friday night.

Lake Placid came out aggressive and got on the board after Kyle Thompson was taken down in the penalty box.

Forward Antonio Santana drilled the penalty kick past Panther keeper Corey Hartwig to give the Green Dragons a 1-0 lead with 11:08 remaining in the first half.

"We played the ball well, were disciplined and had plenty of scoring chances," Diego Medina said. "We just weren't able to capitalize on enough of them."

Mulberry got the equalizer when midfielder AJ Schuh gained control of a cross from Diego Medina in front of the goal and rifled a shot into the lower-right corner of the goal with 8:39 remaining in the half.

The Panthers took the lead when Medina managed to gain control of a through ball and blasted a shot into the upper-right corner with 32:14 remaining in the match.

Lake Placid refused to fold and Hugo Medina knotted the physical contest with a free kick from 40 yards out that sailed just over the fingertips of the Panther keeper in the 63rd minute.

"Hugo might as well be a magician with as many times as he has pulled a rabbit out of his hat," said Green Dragon coach Josh Virkler. "That was an outstanding goal in a great match, and we knew it was going to take three or four goals to win and we certainly had some good looks to add to our total."

Mulberry scored the winner when Justin Maravich managed to head in a free kick just beyond the reach of Green Dragon keeper Omar Villeda with 8:13 remaining in the match.

Lake Placid kept the pressure on and just missed the tying goal during injury time.

"I'm proud of the team, we never gave up, had great effort and were a little unlucky giving up that last goal," said Virkler. "The second half was probably our best half of soccer this season because we played with heart and discipline.

"And that's all I can ask for."

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