LAKELAND — All Saints came into this season with lofty goals of reaching the state finals, and the first step to reaching that goal is complete. The Saints have left no doubt who the best team is in Class 1A, District 9.
Striking for two quick goals in the first five minutes of the second half, All Saints defeated Lakeland Christian 3-1 on Friday night in the championship game at Viking Stadium, giving the Saints their four consecutive victory over the Vikings.
“It feels great,” said All Saints defender Zach Fielich, who had missed most of the season with an injury. “The whole team came together. We’ve been working the whole year, and I’m glad I could come back and be part of it again."
This was the situation both teams were in last year when All Saints beat Lakeland Christian for the district title, but there was no rematch in the regional semifinals. All Saints was tripped up in the first round, while LCS became road warriors and went all the way to the state finals and finished state runner-up.
All Saints (14-2-1) will play at home in the regional quarterfinals, while Lakeland Christian (14-4-1) will again go on the road.
The teams battled even in the first half and the score was tied 1-1 to start the second half when the Saints struck quickly. Bryan Santos scored in the 43rd minute to put All Saints up 2-1, and Christian Cornejo followed with a goal less than two minutes later.
That was all the All Saints needed.
“Our time is after halftime from basically 40 to 60 to 70 minutes, that’s when we are at our strongest,” All Saints caoch Nigel Boardman said. “That’s what happened again today. I was a little disappointed to get the lead then give it up, but I said let’s just stick to our plan. We scored two great goals within a couple of minutes, and we looked comfortable after that.”
Lakeland Christian’s best chance to get back in the game came about five minutes after Cornejo scored when Jack Cochran’s free kick snuck through the defense, but Saints goalkeeper Jackson Gurr made a diving stop.
Both teams benefited in the first half from the return of key players who missed large chunks of the season with injuries.
Frielich is one of the top defenders in the county but was out with a knee injury until about six games ago. He started the scoring when his kick from about 35 yards out sailed over keeper’s head and into the net in the 13th minute.
“I won’t lie,” he said. “I was trying to cross it. I heard my teammate shout for it, but it went in. I can’t complain.”
Boardman is glad to have him back.
“Not only is he a good player, he’s one of our leaders, and he’s probably my most vocal player,” he said. “So it’s great to have him on there (field).”
Tanner Molony, who also missed a good portion of the season with an injury, got the Vikings back in the game. He began the game at centerback, but moved up front after the water break. He scored the Vikings’ only goal in the 33rd minute.
“They’re a good team,” LCS coach Grandy Streets said. “They’re very organized. They’ve beaten us several times in a row, so they’ve proven they’re the better team.”
Even though Molony was back, the Vikings were still shorthanded. Centerback Eli Hill missed the game with the flu. Reese Collins went out early in the game with an injury, and Michael Tippel went out late in the first half and did not return.