Dragons clamp down on DeSoto

By DAN HOEHNE

daniel.hoehne@newssun.com

LAKE PLACID - Tensions run high this time of year.

After all, come district tournament time, each match out on the pitch could well be the last of the season.

And though the tension and emotions got the better of them at times, Lake Placid would ride a stingy defense to a 2-1 win in the opening round of the District 10-2A tournament over DeSoto.

"This was a very even match-up," head coach James Ashley said. "It's like that throughout our district, so we're going to have games like this. The team that doesn't lose their focus, that doesn't let their emotions get the best of them, will be the team that comes out with the win."

Though it didn't seem any added emotion would be necessary early on, as the Dragons were controlling the action and continually on the attack.

A little more than five minutes in, Julian Martinez got the rebound of a deflected Vicente Barajas shot and booted it into the net for a 1-0 Lake Placid lead.

From there, the defense held and in the 24th minute, it seemed the lead would be added to as Barajas advanced the ball into the box and tried to maneuver for a shot.

But the Bulldog defense caused one misfire and another attempt went high and caromed off the crossbar.

Then, less than five minutes later, a DeSoto forward got past the Dragon defense and slipped one past the keeper to knot the score.

That's when the intensity picked up a bit, with a Dragon player getting a yellow card and the Bulldogs getting a penalty kick in the 33rd minute - though it went wide right

Moments later, a brief scuffle lead to a player from each side being sat down for the remainder of the half, which ended with the score still tied 1-1.

But it was just a few minutes into the second half when Lake Placid benefited from the intensity, being awarded a penalty kick at 36:02.

Senior Jorge Medina made the most of it, converting the score for a 2-1 Dragon lead.

It looked like it would be added to less than three minutes later, but Osvaldo Orduna's attempted headed sailed just a bit too high.

But then DeSoto started picking up the pace and attacking the Lake Placid zone with a bit more fervor.

While Frankie Gomez had manned the goal well in the first half, Rafael Ramos was the second half keeper and continued to fend off Bulldog shot attempts.

"Last year we had one goalie, but he was more of a goalie in training," Ashley said. "This year we've got a few guys who can do the job. I'm a former goalie myself and I know that there are different philosophies. I figure, if they each give us a chance to win, we'll give each a chance."

Though it looked as though Ramos may have missed a chance when a DeSoto wing got free and shot one into the net with 10:38 left - but the score was waved off due to an offsides.

The 'Dogs would have more chances, with numerous direct kicks, but Ramos and the Dragon defense were up to the challenge each time.

The offense, too, would have opportunities, but that insurance goal proved hard to come by.

But as the time ticked away, it became more a matter of just controlling the clock and keeping the Bulldogs at bay.

One more direct kick would come DeSoto's way in the waning moments, but it went high and soon after, the final whistle blew to commemorate the Lake Placid win.

"That was just a great effort, a great game," Ashley said. "The second half, especially, was probably the best team effort defensively we've had all season. That first win in districts is the toughest one to get, but we've been playing good soccer. We just have to keep our focus."

The win moved the Dragons into the tournament semifinals against Frostproof Tuesday night.

During the regular season, just like with DeSoto, Lake Placid split the series, winning a 4-2 contest and dropping a 3-2 match.