- Ugly game sees 3 yellow cards -
By ELISHA KLATT
News-Sun correspondent
LAKE WALES - The Sebring boys soccer team fell short Monday in a 2-1 district loss to Lake Wales, despite a late game rally, and a goal from senior Buck Schroeder.
The Streaks lost the lead after surrendering a goal just five minutes in
But the defense was able to hold on, thanks to the tremendous game played by keeper Jesse Ouverson and junior sweeper Derek Drummond.
Trailing by the 1-0 margin midway through the opening half, Lake Wales was on a break away and fired a shot that was deflected by a charging Ouverson.
Bounding across the face of the goal, it was soon rescued by Drummond and stopper Cody Watson.
Ouverson who totaled double digit saves on the night, was not finished being tested, as with 12 minutes to play before halftime, Sebring commited a penalty in the box leading to a Lake Wales penalty kick.
Ouverson who totaled double digit saves on the night, was not finished being tested, as with 12 minutes to play before halftime, Sebring commited a penalty in the box leading to a Lake Wales penalty kick.
The shot sailed high over the bar, and the Streaks breathed a sigh of releif as the game remainded 1-0 at the half.
As the second half began, the rough-and-tumble match that saw numerous fouls, only got worse as two yellow cards were given to Lake Wales, and one to Sebring.
However, with time running down, the Streaks were not about to give up just yet.
In the last twenty minutes of play, they dominated the field with precise ball movement and well-executed give-and-goes, which netted them several scoring chances.
One such chance came on the leg of Watson, who after manuvering through two Lake Wales defenders blasted a shot from the 40-yard line to the top left corner of the goal.
It was defended but forced a corner kick as the diving keeper touched it away with 13 minutes left in the game.
The Streaks showed amazing poise and determination, as with time running down they continued to control the field, and create chances. However, inside stoppage time, Drummond was called for an infraction in the box which lead to Lake Wales' second penalty kick of the night.
This time, though, despite a great save from Ouverson, a Highlander was able to knock in the rebound and take a 2-0 lead with less than two minutes left in regulation.
Just a minute later, as hope was begining to fade, Schroeder took a throw in from Octavio Galvan and found the net, bringing the lead back down to one.
Sebring wasn't quite able to pull off another goal in the remaining seconds, though, and the game ended with the Streaks trailing 2-1.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009 - www.newssun.com/WED-11-18-SebSoccer