Kathleen, Lk. Region Move On In 4A-7

THE LEDGER

LAKELAND | Drama was the key word Wednesday in the Class 4A, District 7 boys soccer tournament at George Jenkins High School.

 

Kathleen's Kenton Kaiser scored the only goal of the game against Haines City in overtime to give the Red Devils a 1-0 victory over Haines City in the quarterfinals.

 

The Lake Region Thunder rode a roller coaster to a 5-3 victory over Lakeland.

 

The Thunder led the game 3-0 before Lakeland came back to knot the contest 3-3.

 

Third-seeded Lake Region (8-4-3) scored two in the second half to advance to tonight's semifinal game against second-seeded Ridge Community (9-4-2) at 6 p.m.

 

Kathleen (12-7-5) takes on top-seeded George Jenkins (20-2-2) at 8 p.m.

 

Kaiser was moved to defensive midfielder midway through the season to capitalize on his ability to control and spread the ball around.

 

But it was his left foot that got the most attention Wednesday.

 

The two teams, which had tied each other twice during the regular season, were tied again in overtime inside two minutes when Kaiser pushed up and nabbed a ball that went through the midfield near the Haines City goal.

 

Rushing, he whiffed once with his left foot and saw Haines City keeper Christobah Benetiz approaching in the corner of his eye.

 

"I had to hurry and kick it fast," he said.

 

His second attempt saw the ball sail right into the center of the net.

 

"I thought the keeper would get it," he said after being carried by his teammates partially across the field.

 

The Thunder had all the mentum with a 3-0 first half lead before Lakeland's Karim Bastien was moved from defense to forward where he scored three goals to tie the contest, giving him 28 on the season.

 

"He has a nose for the goal," said Lakeland coach Evan McKean.

 

Lake Region's Francisco Gonzalez broke the tie on a line drive header on a rebound with 26:21 remaining in the contest.

 

Thunder senior midfielder Alberto Silva made it 5-3 with a line drive from the right side about 40 yards from the goal with 10:21 left in the game.

 

Lake Region tied Ridge earlier this season and lost to the Bolts 2-1.

 

The Eagles have defeated Kathleen by scores of 6-1 and 5-1. Still, Kaiser feels they are beatable.

 

"They are just another team," he said. "Haines City, which tied Lakeland, proved it."