LAKE WALES — Lake Wales sophomore Delaney Elder scored twice to lead Lake Wales to 6-3 win over Poinciana in the Girls 3A District 11 Soccer Final Thursday night at Legion Field.
First-half goals by freshman Chanley Pfingston and junior Haileigh Houmard put the Highlanders ahead, 2-0.
Houmard’s goal came as a result of a free kick by Charlee Lutton not being controlled in goal. Houmard alertly rebounded the shot for the score.
However, Poinciana made a game of it, as the Eagles’ Jendaya Nesbitt scored twice within two minutes to tie the game at 2.
Nesbitt’s second goal came following a throw-in. She dribbled the ball through the Lake Wales back-line and beat goalie Sarah Bourgett.
Moments before halftime, Elder broke away from the back-line defenders and beat goalie Maygan La at the 5:20 mark, giving the Highlanders the lead they would never relinquish.
In the second half, Elder scored with an assist from Pfingston at 31:06 for a 4-2 Lake Wales lead.
Gabby Mclaren’s goal at 26:00 stretched the Highlanders lead to 5-2.
Lutton then put the game out of reach with her goal at 15:22 for Lake Wales’ largest lead 6-2.
“This game felt closer than 6-3,” said Lake Wales coach Michael Flood.
“Give Poinciana credit. We had to fight, and we had to dig deep and push ourselves again.
"I thought it was an exciting game," Flood continued. "I am proud of our girls.”
Both teams advance to the Region 3 Quarterfinals.
Poinciana (11-6-1) will play on the road at Merritt Island, while Lake Wales (15-4-2) will host Titusville in the quarterfinal round.