LAKE PLACID — Antonio Santana scored two goals and captain Hugo Medina netted two goals — including the game-winner — as Lake Placid rallied to beat McKeel Academy 5-4 in boys soccer on Friday night at rain-soaked Roger Scarborough Memorial Field. The Class 3A Green Dragons trailed for most of the match, but refused to quit to improve to 1-4 in District 10 action. "This was a brave win," said Lake Placid coach Josh Virkler. "We were down two goals at two different points in the match, and it would have been easy for the guys to quit because the conditions were pretty severe." McKeel took a 2-0 lead just seven minutes into the match on the rain-slicked field. ...more

December 16, 2007

LAKE PLACID — Scoring chances in soccer are hard to come by, and when opportunity comes knocking, you have to be there to answer the door. The Lake Placid Green Dragons girls soccer team let a gift-wrapped opportunity slip away in a 0-0 tie with the Class 3A-District 8 foe McKeel Academy of Lakeland at Roger Scarborough Stadium on Tuesday. Christmas came early for the Green Dragons at the 60 minute mark of the match, when a hand ball inside the box penalty by McKeel Academy set up a penalty kick for the Lake Placid. ...more

December 6, 2007

AVON PARK –– The hats didn't litter the field and jerseys were not ripped off and twirled over player's heads after scoring a goal as we've seen so many times on television, but the bath of congratulations from within the tight-knit Lake Placid Green Dragons was enough for them. ...more

November 14, 2007

LAKE PLACID — Nothing beats experience. With six returning starters and 13 seniors, that's what the Lake Placid boys soccer team is counting on to turn its fortunes around this season. "It's almost unheard of to have that many seniors," said fourth-year Green Dragon coach Josh Virkler. "This is the most experienced team we've had since I've been here, and hopefully, that will translate into more goals and more wins." ...more

November 7, 2007

SEBRING — Amanda Grinaldo's three booming shots on goal in Sebring's season-opening loss to LaBelle didn't get the Blue Streaks on the scoreboard, but they certainly showed signs of the freshman's promise. Two days later, Grinaldo turned that promise into a Sebring victory against Lake Placid, pulling off her first career hat trick in her second start and lifting the Blue Streaks to a 3-2 victory over the Class 3A Green Dragons on Thursday at Firemen's Field. "That's what we expect out of our freshman," grinned Sebring senior captain Sadie Adams. The Streaks' three unanswered goals were all Grinaldo's: She broke behind the Lake Placid defense to score just before the half in the 36th minute, then booted the equalizer on a penalty kick in the 55th and put Sebring on top with a shot from point-blank range in the 75th. ...more

November 3, 2007

SEBRING — Time to run. The boys and girls cross country teams from the Heartland compete today and Friday in the Class 3A district meets. Avon Park and Sebring run today in the District 5 meet at Lake Park in Tampa, while Lake Placid runs on Friday at the District 6 meet in Naples. Only the top six teams advance to next Saturday's regional competition in Estero, and Avon Park's boys squad has the talent and desire to be one of those teams. ...more

November 1, 2007