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Panthers Power Past Dragons

Brian Gjurgevich/Highlands Today

Lake Placid co-captain Antonio Torres 9 battles a Mulberry player for the ball on Friday during the Panthers' 4-1 victory over the Dragons at Roger Scarborough Memorial Field.

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Highlands Today Staff Report

Published: November 23, 2008

LAKE PLACID - Junior Geovanni Morales scored a game-tying goal in the 31st minute on Friday night, but the Mulberry boys soccer team scored three unanswered to take a 4-1 district victory over Lake Placid on a chilly night Roger Scarborough Memorial Field.

"We gave up some goals we shouldn't have," said Lake Placid coach Josh Virkler. "One got away from the keeper, another was on a rebound that nobody matched up on and one was on a failure to mark.

"There was a lot of carelessness out there."

Virkler said the Green Dragons were physically overpowered at midfield and had breakdowns in organization in the backfield, which led to the Panthers' attackers getting too many chances at the goal.

"We did a lot better against Sebring in LP's season opener," he said. "It just seemed like we didn't have our heads right."

Junior Ernesto Jimenez had 12 saves on the night, but the Dragon offense struggled in its district opener.

"When you're not playing physically at midfield, you can't start possessions," Virkler said. "We didn't get much service to our forwards. We broke down on the wings and didn't get a lot of chances to swing the ball up in front of the goal.

"Without a quality service, you're not going to score."

The Dragons will look for their first victory on Dec. 2, when they travel to district foe McKeel.

GIRLS SOCCER: Lake Placid 6, Mulberry 0

MULBERRY - Yuribia Terrones had a hat trick and Kylie Webber added two goals of her own on Friday night to lead the Lake Placid girls soccer team to a 6-0 blanking of rival Mulberry.

Erica Resendiz added a goal and three assists, while keeper Sarah Thompson picked up her first shutout of the season in goal.

"I was very happy with our effort," said LP coach John Merlo. "The girls stepped up with a couple of starters out.

"This is the first game we finally put it all together. All phases were working."

The Dragons are back in action on Dec. 1, when they travel to Sebring. Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m.

GIRLS BASKETBALL: Sebring 57, All Saints Academy 2

WINTER HAVEN - The Sebring girls basketball team picked up its first regular-season victory of the season in dominant fashion on Friday night with a 57-2 drubbing of an overmatched All Saints Academy squad.

Senior Hannah Shoop had 14 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Streaks, while junior Zykeria Dawkins had eight points and senior Kayla Clemens and junior Courtney Shine each added six points.

"It sounds a little bit strange," said Sebring coach Mike Lee when reporting the score, noting that all but one of his girls had a basket on the night. "It was a good game for us. Everyone played a lot and we were able to try some new things."

The Streaks are back in action at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, when they host district foe DeSoto.

BOYS SOCCER: Hardee 5, Avon Park 2

AVON PARK - Lushane Denton scored his second goal of the season and Josue Garcia added another goal, but Avon Park couldn't find a way to put a point in the win column, as they fell 5-2 to Hardee in a Class 4A-District 10 clash at Joe Franza Stadium on Friday.

Down 3-0 at halftime, the Red Devils mounted a solid comeback on the two goals, but came up just short of getting their first win of the season.

"We fought hard all night and that's what I'm proud of most," AP head coach Craig Morris said. "We're getting some good looks at the net, but need to transition more of those looks into goals."

Avon Park is back on the field at 7:30 p.m. on Monday when they travel to face district foe Braden River.

GIRLS SOCCER: Avon Park 0, Hardee 0

AVON PARK - The Red Devils defense tightened up on the 'Cats, as both teams played to a stalemate in a Class 4A-District 10 match-up at Joe Franza Stadium on Friday.

AP's revamped team looked good in stretches against the Hardee defense, as they moved the ball well, but the Devils were unable to capitalize on mismatches during the game.

Avon Park is back on the field at 7:30 p.m. on Monday when they travel to face district foe Braden River.

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