Bulldogs Down Dragons

After splitting with Frostproof during the regular season, the Lake Placid girls soccer team was full of confidence heading into Thursday night's Class 3A-District 8 tournament championship match.

But a couple of uncharacteristic defensive lapses put the Green Dragons in an early hole from which they never recovered, and Frostproof senior forward Marisela Rivera scored two goals to power the Bulldogs to a 3-1 win.

"The first half was probably the worst half we've played all season," said first-year Lake Placid coach John Merlo. "We came out slow and played a little tight, especially in the first half.

"We looked better in the second half, but still didn't play with the speed and intensity we needed to against a team as talented and skilled as Frostproof."

The win improved Frostproof to 16-3 on the season and earned the Bulldogs a regional quarterfinal home match next Thursday against the loser of Friday night's District 7 championship game between Lake Highland Prep and Trinity Prep.

As district runner-up, the Green Dragons, who dropped to 12-2-2, will travel to face the winner of that game next Thursday night.

Frostproof, a young team with only four seniors, grabbed the early momentum when Rivera corralled a loose ball in front of the Lake Placid goal and blasted a shot into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead in the third minute of play.

The Bulldogs, who dominated the action with 15 shots on goal, increased their advantage when eighth-grader Kailey Smith found the back of the net off a corner kick for a 2-0 lead in the 16th minute of play.

"We made a couple of mistakes that we don't usually make and gave up a couple of soft goals," said Merlo. "You can't give a team as talented as Frostproof a two-goal lead."

Lake Placid got on the board when senior Maribel Garza gathered in a corner kick by Erica Resendiz and blasted it into the upper-left corner of the net to pull the Green Dragons within 2-1 with 12 minutes remaining in the first half.

"That goal got our spirits up and got us back in the game," Merlo said. "I was hoping we could keep the pressure on and score again before the half."

Frostproof would have none of that as Ana Vega made a nice run down the right sideline and rifled a shot toward the Green Dragon goal.

The initial save was made, but Rivera managed to get a foot on the rebound and knocked it in for a 3-1 lead with six minutes remaining in the half.

"There was nothing we could do on that goal," said Merlo. "That was just a great kick and you just tip your hat to Frostproof."

Lake Placid, which had 10 shots on goal, was more aggressive in the second half and had several good scoring chances, but Bulldog keeper Madison Yungmann was up to the task and kept the Green Dragons at bay.

Lake Placid, which battled injuries all season, had three girls fighting flu symptoms, and the lack of depth didn't help as time ran out on their championship dreams.

"It's disappointing to lose, but we've had a great season and it's not over yet," said Merlo. "We have to get ready for next week's regional quarterfinal against a good team.

"I'm going to watch the match between Lake Highland Prep and Trinity Prep and do a little scouting, but both teams are solid and we just have to believe in ourselves and play with confidence when we take the field."