Soft Goals Lift Mulberry Over LP

LAKE PLACID - Small things like communicating with a teammate can make the biggest difference in a soccer match.

That was the case in Thursday night's Class 3A-District 10 match, as Mulberry scored two early soft goals because of Lake Placid miscommunication en route to a 3-0 win at Roger Scarborough Memorial Field.

"We have to communicate better, especially on the defensive side of the ball," said Green Dragon senior forward Arnulfo Diaz. "We also have to finish our scoring chances, but it's early in the season, and we're going to work hard to improve."

The win improved the Panthers to 6-2 overall and 2-0 in district, while the loss dropped Lake Placid to 1-5, 0-2.

"It's frustrating because we came out with a bit of energy, and we played all right," said Green Dragon coach Josh Virkler. "But two pieces of miscommunication between our goalie and defenders did us in."

Mulberry took advantage of the first Lake Placid mistake when Rogelio Salgado's direct free kick was misplayed in front of the Green Dragon goal and A.J. Schuh corralled the loose ball and rifled a shot into the open net for a 1-0 lead in the 11th minute.

"We had players running into each other and not talking," Virkler said. "We made one or two defensive mistakes and it cost us the game."

Lake Placid, which had 14 shots on goal, just missed tying the match moments later when Kyle Thompson's shot was deflected away by Panther keeper Fabian Guillen.

Mulberry added to its advantage when Diego Medina took a cross from Salgado and rifled a shot into the upper-right corner from 10-yards out for a 2-0 lead with 20:21 remaining in the half.

"We have a nice mix of experience and youth," said Mulberry second-year coach Tim Goehring. "Fabian did a good job of filling in for our regular goalie and some of our younger kids stepped up and played well."

Lake Placid came out more aggressive in the second half and dictated the pace of play. But time after time, the Green Dragon shots went awry.

"I keep telling the guys the devil is in the details," Virkler said. "We play well and move the ball forward, but we don't finish our chances.

"We're not being totally outclassed, but we're not winning games that we should."
Mulberry sealed the win when Alan Crispin took a cross from Medina and found the back of the net with 20:44 remaining in the match.

"It's a disappointing loss because we had our chances," Virkler said. "It's not a lack of quality chances, it's a lack of quality finishes.

"We have a good team that has underachieved a little bit, but we can't get frustrated because there is a lot of soccer left to be played, and if we keep training hard and playing hard, good things will happen."

Lake Placid is back in action with a District 10 away match against McKeel Academy next Tuesday.

BOYS SOCCER: Sebring 2, DeSoto 1

DESOTO - Buck Schroeder and Nick Peters scored first-half goals and the Sebring defense made them stand up in a 2-1 win over DeSoto in a Class 4A-District 10 boys soccer match on Thursday night.
The win improved the Blue Streaks to 3-4, 1-1, who managed to win despite forward Daniel Grimaldo having to leave the match after colliding with a Bulldog player in the second half. DeSoto's only goal came on a penalty kick.

"We played well," Sebring coach Paul Brown said. "We continue to play well on the road and these district games are always important."

Sebring played at Fort Meade on Friday night. Look for the results in Sunday's sports section.

GIRLS SOCCER: Lake Placid 3, Mulberry 0

MULBERRY - Shelby Lambert, Yuriba Terrones and Erica Resendiz scored goals to lead Lake Placid past Mulberry 3-0 in a Class 3A-District 10 girls soccer match on Thursday night.

The win improved the Green Dragons to 2-2-2 overall and 1-0 in district play.
Lake Placid hosts McKeel Academy in a district match on Tuesday night at Roger Scarborough Memorial Field.

GIRLS SOCCER: Braden River 5, Avon Park 0

BRADEN RIVER - Braden River scored early and often in rolling past Avon Park 5-0 in a girls Class 4A-District 10 match on Thursday night.

The Red Devils are back in action with an away match next Thursday at Hardee.