LCS Wins on Penalty Kicks

Sat. January 28, 2012 at 2:00 a.m. | By B.J. Pitzen

B.J. PITZEN

LEDGER CORRESPONDENT

Class 1A girls soccer regional

ORLANDO | After regulation play, two overtimes and one set of five penalty kicks in the Class 1A regional semifinal girls soccer game, Charlie Eaves stepped into the box for Lakeland Christian hoping to break the stalemate with Orlando First Academy.

Eaves had just finished watching the Royals' sixth penalty kick sail over Lydia Cagle's head, so the Vikings' sophomore knew it was now or never.

Eaves, who had been shooting penalty kicks all week in practice, sent the ball past First Academy goalie Emma Hovey to give LCS the 3-2 win Friday, sending the Vikings into the regional final.

The Vikings will play at home at 7 p.m. on Tuesday night against Tampa Prep.

"It feels amazing," said Eaves, after being rushed by her teammates after her game-winning shot. "I probably wouldn't have been able to do it if I wasn't praying the whole time."

Vikings coach Jason Streets was happy with the come-from-behind victories his team pulled off in back-to-back regional games.

"To come back like that being down 2-0, that just shows you their heart," Streets said. "I'm very proud of my team."

The Royals (18-6) netted two goals in the first half to take the early lead.

Ashlynne Wells cut the lead in half with 4 minutes remaining in the first half off a deflection that Sydney Rayborne knocked off Hovey.

The Vikings (20-4-2), who came back to beat The Geneva School after trailing early, got another pep talk from Streets at halftime.

"I told them to play with a little bit more passion," Streets said.

The Vikings quickly responded as Bailee Mathers tied the score on an assist by Mallory White with 34:37 remaining in regulation.

Despite hitting the goal post three times in the second half, LCS wasn't able to punch the ball in and was forced to two scoreless 10-minute overtimes and then penalty kicks.