Lopez's Goal Before Half Extends LP's Season

LAKE PLACID - It could've been Liz Sottile's last game on the sideline, but the Lake Placid girls soccer team wasn't about to let their beloved coach step aside without a fight.

Ale Lopez's goal in the 36th minute highlighted a defensive struggle on Tuesday night, as the Green Dragons extended their season with a 1-0 victory over McKeel Academy, a team they were unable to defeat during the regular season.

The win sends LP into the Friday's finals of the Class 3A-District 10 tournament against top-seeded Frostproof and earns them an automatic berth in the upcoming regional tournament.

Sottile, who noted she planned on stepping down as Lake Placid coach after this season, said the win by her No. 3-seeded Dragons over the No. 2-seeded Wildcats was by no means an upset.

"We outplayed them by a longshot," Sottile said. "I knew this team had it from day one - I thought we were going to clean up districts.

"This is our first time in the district finals, and with it being my last season, I'm very happy."

The Green Dragons (6-6-4) controlled the pace from the opening minutes, twice taking the ball deep into Wildcat territory in the opening 10 minutes and peppering the McKeel keeper with four shots on goal in the first 20.

When LP earned a free kick from the right corner of McKeel's end - played, essentially, as a corner kick - Lopez found her chance, booming her own rebound into the lower left corner of the net for the game's only goal with four minutes to play in the first half.

"I saw everyone surrounding me, so I just thought I'd kick it and see where it landed," Lopez said. "When it bounced off somebody, I saw an open spot and went right to it."

The Dragon defense took over from there, keeping their cool when McKeel (12-7-2) mustered any scoring chances in the second half.

Defender Julie Shrewsbury said LP's back line is like "a family" and with their speed, they feel confident against anybody.

"Our defense is best friends," she said. "Our whole team came ready to play tonight. We decided before the game that we weren't losing."

Sottile, whose husband Nick, a Florida State trooper, was killed in the of duty prior to last season's district tournament opener, said she's ready to step aside after five years on the sideline.

"I love this team," she said.
Her players say the feeling is mutual.

"We're trying to talk her into another season with us," Shrewsbury said. "We're going to miss her a lot if she leaves. We love her - all of us do."

Lake Placid hosts Friday's district final against Frostproof at 7 p.m. at Roger Scarborough Memorial Field. If they win, they host a regional game, but a loss will send them on the road.

NOTE: Lopez injured her lower back and ankle on two separate plays during the second half and left the game with a limp in the final minutes. She said the lower back stung and that the ankle injury occurred when she toed the ground on a kick. "I should be fine," she said.