Vikings Shake Off Sluggish Start

Wed. January 25, 2012 at 4:15 p.m. | By B.J. Pitzen

BY B.J. PITZEN
LEDGER CORRESPONDENT

LAKELAND | Sydney Rayborn and Mallory White scored second-half goals to pull Lakeland Christian past The Geneva School 4-2 in the Class 1A Regional Playoffs on Tuesday night at Vikings Stadium.

Lakeland Christian coach Jason Streets had his players do a gut check when they were tied at 2-2 at halftime.

"Geneva came in as the underdog and outplayed us (in the first half)," Streets said. "They played with a ton of heart. I hope it was an eye-opener for my girls."

Rayborn and Sharpe answered their coach's challenge.

With 6:10 left before the break, Rayborn found herself carrying the ball into Geneva's box with the Knights' Kassie Abercrombie fresh on her heels. Abercrombie was dealt a yellow card after aggressively tripping up Rayborn, who re-aggravated a season-long tailbone injury. Josie Koretchko's penalty kick tied up the score going into the half.

"That (penalty kick) boosted our confidence," Rayborn said. "That basically was like a clean slate so that we could start over."

Speaking to a worried squad at half, head boys coach and assistant girls coach Grandy Streets added insight.

"Whoever wants it more these next 40 minutes will win," Streets said. "You're going to stay in mourning if you don't step it up."

It didn't take long for LCS (18-4-2) to turn it up a notch in the second half. Rayborn scored on an assist by White and Ellen Sharpe with 36:52 remaining.

The Vikings continued passing and movement kept the ball away from the Knights (11-6-1) in the second half.

White put the game away with 12:12 left by netting a goal from four yards outside the box after an assist from Rayborn.

LCS advances to play Friday at 7 p.m. in the Class 1A Regional semifinals against First Academy of Orlando, which defeated Santa Fe (6-12-1) on Tuesday, 6-0.