Berkeley Prep Blanks LCS Boys

Wed. November 21, 2012 at 5:19 a.m. | By Solange Reyner

Lakeland Christian School's Logan Pierce (16), left, controls the ball as Berkley Prep's Quintin Kauchick (13) tries to defend during the first half of their match at Lakeland Christian School Tuesday night. (Photo by MICHAEL WILSON | THE LEDGER )

By SOLANGE REYNER

THE LEDGER

LAKELAND | Lakeland Christian's boys soccer team was tangled in a defensive battle against Berkeley Prep most of the evening Tuesday, a game that ended eventually in a 1-0 loss for the Vikings.

But in the early-season matchup against Berkeley Prep, last year's state runner-up in Class 2A, there were plenty of positives.

First, the solid play in goal by Blake Crosby, a wiry jumping senior who would prefer to play in the field but has been asked to be the goalkeeper because, well, he gets the job done. Through five matches, Crosby has 29 saves and has helped the Vikings shut out two teams. He's only given up three goals.

Another highlight to point out was he quickness and solid tackling of twin defenders Alex and Josh Sessums. They helped keep Berkeley Prep's main stud on offense, Daniel Felman, grounded.

Surely, though, Lakeland Christian isn't satisfied with a 1-0 loss, right?

Well no, but keeping the game close is what head coach Grandy Streets wants to do, especially against a solid team like Berkeley. Streets wants this team to hang its hat on defense.

"That's what he's stressing to us," Alex Sessums said.

Likely, in part due to the absence of midfielder Jake Maloney, who played for LCS last year and created a lot of opportunities for the offense. He's playing with a U.S. Soccer development academy in Clearwater and was told he cannot play high school ball if he wants to continue to play with the club.

"He's a great player and he ran our midfield last year and we obviously don't have as much offense without him," Josh Sessums said. "But we're going to do fine moving forward."

And if that means talking about more defense, then so be it.

Crosby seems to be OK with it even though he says the job in goal is a lot of pressure. But he had some great saves Tuesday, only allowing a header in throughout.

Freshman Lance Esposito scored it from about five yards out at the 27 minute mark on an assist by Feldman.