The match took nine rounds of penalty kicks to decide. The final attempt by Torin Theilhelm sailed high over the crossbar, giving Fort Lauderdale University School a 9-8 win.

Although neither team could miss up to that point, a substitution in goal by the Highlanders was nearly enough to help them get the decision.

After the first five penalty kicks got past LHP starter Ethan Willings, Steven Sahlsten was in position to stop each of the next three attempts but was unable to do so. The University keeper was then called upon to boot in what would prove to be the winning goal.

The teams battled to a 0-0 tie after 100 minutes of play, much of which took place in the middle of the field where a stalemate unfolded. Shots on goal were few and far between.

Lake Highland saw its best chances to score come by way of inbound throws from Conner Willings. But any attempts by the Highlanders to follow up those tosses were thwarted by University.

The first real opportunity came less than 10 minutes into the first half, on a header from Michael Rasmussen that landed just off its mark. Moments later freshman Austin Fort got his foot on a loose ball inside the goal box but had that shot knocked away by the keeper.

Rasmussen nearly broke the tie with 29 minutes left in the game when he chased the ball down deep inside the box. But a shot off his left foot was blocked by the timely slide of a defender.

It was Lake Highland’s first trip to the title game after losing five times in the semifinals since 2002.

The Highlanders were the only boys soccer team to advance to the state finals last week. Port Orange Spruce Creek lost 2-1 to Miami Varela in its second trip to the Class 6A state semifinals and Celebration had its season come to a close in a 4-0 loss to Cape Coral in a Class 4A semifinal.

– (email JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com and follow at Facebook or @OrlandoSportsJC ) –

After beginning the year 0-3, the Highlanders won 10 games in a row before losing in the title game of the Great Florida Shootout at Silver Spurs Arena last week in Kissimmee. The only blemish for LHP (10-4) in the 16-team tournament came in a 59-50 loss in the finals against Maryland’s Bishop McNamara.

“We’re progressing,” said Turner, who played for the Magic from 1989-96. “I put together a really tough schedule for them because I really wanted to challenge them.”

And his young team has responded following the addition of several players who recently made a playoff push with the LHP football team.

“They performed tremendously at this tournament to be able to get to the finals,” Turner said. “I think it’s been a great test and hopefully as we move down the stretch through districts and the rest of our schedule that they’re prepared to play at that level.”

Lake Highland Prep opened the 30th annual tournament with a 78-74 win over Lexington (S.C.) behind 28 points and four assists from Jackson Trapp and 10 points and 12 rebounds from Lance Stokes. They then defeated San Diego Hoover 55-48 thanks to 16 points from freshman Joel Berry.

The win over Hoover proved to be a special one as the team out of California caught the interest of college recruiters such as Roy Williams and Danny Manning.

But perhaps the most impressive win for the Highlanders, though, came in a semifinal clash against fellow Class 3A foe Holy Trinity out of Melbourne.

LHP got big baskets from Berry and David Jean early in the overtime period, and key free throws from Berry and Trapp in the closing seconds, to secure a wild 56-53 win and a trip to the championship game.

Berry and Stokes were each named to the all-tournament team.

– (email JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com or follow @OrlandoSportsJC and Carnahan Chronicles) –

Presented by the Rotary Club of Kissimmee, the four-day tournament features 16 of the top high school basketball teams from across the nation.

The lineup also features Division I recruits and teams with state tournament experience. Some of the top college and NBA recruiters are expected to be on hand to evaluate talent.

Teams taking part at the event from around the state of Florida include Plantation American Heritage, Ft. Meyers Bishop Verot, Ft. Myers High School, Bartow High School and Melbourne Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy.

Among the local teams taking part are Class 6A state runners-up Dr. Phillips, Osceola High School, Oviedo, Poinciana, Wekiva and Lake Highland Prep.

Out-of-state teams scheduled to participate are Bishop McNamara of Forestville, MD; Christian County High School out of Hopkinsville, KY; Ball High School from Galveston, TX; Hoover High School from San Diego, CA; and Lexington High of Lexington, SC.

The tournament gets underway at 10 a.m. Monday with Christian County (KY) taking on Holy Trinity.

Tickets for the event are available through Ticketmaster and the Silver Spurs Arena Box Office.

Single day tickets are $10 for adults and $5 for students. Kids under the age of 4 are admitted for free. Tournament packages are available for $30 for adults and $15 for students.

Visit GFLSO for a full schedule and detailed info on participating teams.

– (email JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com or follow @OrlandoSportsJC and Carnahan Chronicles) –

Oak Ridge (8-3) is at Dr. Phillips (11-0), Winter Park (11-0) is at Seminole (9-2), and DeLand (9-2) is at Orange Park (7-4) in Class 6A games. Oviedo defeated Osceola 10-0 in Class 5A and hosts this week against Lakeland, who beat Hagerty 56-35. Bishop Moore (9-2) hosts two-time defending Class 2A champion Cocoa. Lake Highland Prep (9-2) defeated Fort Meyers Dunbar 20-6 in Class 2B and will host Island Coast.

Last week the season ended for a couple local teams. East River lost 27-7 on the road against Lakeland Lake Gibson in 5A and Jones lost to Cocoa 14-9.

In other action… South Daytona Warner Christian (11-0) defeated Orangewood Christian 60-6 in Class 1B. Daytona Beach Mainland lost to Orange Park 29-28 in Class 6A. The First Academy lost 42-20 against Jacksonville Trinity Christian in 2A.

All second round games begin at 7:30 p.m. Keep up with all the action at Varsity Sports, WFTV Channel 9 and Bright House Sports Network.

Below is a look back at last week’s first round involving state-ranked teams, with a little help from those that covered each game for the Orlando Sentinel.

– Class 6A –

Dr. Phillips 52, Olympia 3

The Panthers defeated Olympia for the fourth time over the past two seasons by building a 24-3 lead at halftime…

Wrote Kyle Hightower:

“Running back Demetrius Hart rushed for 118 yards and accounted for three touchdowns – two rushing, one receiving – to lead the Panthers… Quarterback Nick Patti was also spot-on, connecting on 5-of-8 passes for 181 yards and three scores. He also ran in another.”

Oak Ridge 34, Apopka 14

The Pioneers won their first playoff game since 1977 by getting out to a 28-7 lead at halftime…

Wrote Joe Williams:

“Dominating may not be a strong enough word to describe Oak Ridge in the first half. Oak Ridge had 286 yards of total offense to Apopka’s 53… Only a lapse on special teams allowed Apopka to score.”

Winter Park 35, Lake Brantley 21

Wildcats’ quarterback Sam Richardson got banged late in the first quarter while his team trailed by a touchdown, but returned to lead Winter Park to the win…

Wrote Buddy Collings:

“Winter Park again had difficulty holding a big fourth-quarter lead against Lake Brantley on Friday. But again the Wildcats were able to respond at crunch time. Undefeated Winter Park marched 80 yards to seal a 35-21 victory over the Patriots with an 8-yard touchdown run by Brandon Brown-Dukes with 1:44 remaining.”

Seminole 46, Timber Creek 14

The Seminoles took control late in the first half as T.J. Thompson passed for 217 yards and three touchdowns…

Wrote Carlos Pineda:

“The Seminoles broke away with 4 minutes, 37 seconds left in the second quarter when Ronnie Moore scored on a 53-yard run to give them a 17-7 lead.”

DeLand 6, Jacksonville Sandalwood 0

A touchdown run by Jo Jo Kemp in the first quarter, set up by a big interception return by De’Ante Saunders, held up for DeLand…

Wrote Craig Castille:

“LB Joe Herndon’s goalline interception on fourth down with 20 seconds remaining sealed a 6-0 victory for DeLand.”

– Class 4A –

Lakeland Kathleen 27, Edgewater 24

Edgewater could not hang on to a 23-12 lead at home with eight minutes remaining…

Wrote Bill Gronvold:

“A 92-yard pass play… with 1 minute, 12 seconds left Friday night lifted Lakeland Kathleen past host Edgewater. Aaron Baysdon caught the ball around midfield, broke two tackles and then ran the rest of the way for the score.”

– Class 2A –

Bishop Moore 25, Astronaut 7

The Hornets get the two-time defending state champs from Cocoa at home this week after getting out to a 25-0 lead on Friday…

Wrote Jeff Gardenour:

“Senior QB Mike Calabro passed for a TD and ran for another score, and Bishop Moore’s defense forced four turnovers in beating visiting Titusville Astronaut.”

– (email JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com or follow @OrlandoSportsJC and Carnahan Chronicles) –

The Highlanders started the season with Top-10 finishes at the 30-team Lake Brantley Invitational in September with new individual varsity standards being set.

Junior Sean Duggan led the boys team to a fourth-place showing with new marks in the 50 freestyle (20.75) and 500 freestyle (4:31.31) events. Sophomore Chelsea Britt continued to add to her already impressive resume with a 56.33 record-time in the 100 backstroke to lead the girls to a sixth-place finish.

Britt has already won two state titles, first as a seventh grader and last year as a freshman. She also owns the school record in the 100 fly (53.88).

“Swimming is one of these sports where you have to have an incredible will,” said LHP Coach Mike Curley. “She is something special, has all the physical tools. She happens to have the knack for putting her hand on the pad first.”

Duggan is a bit of a late bloomer who now can take credit for five school records, including the 100 freestyle (46.63), 200 freestyle (1:41.34) and 200-freestyle relay.

“He’s always been exceptionally gifted and has a great feel for the water,” said Curley. “But he’s just now realizing how good he can be.”

In his 17th year as LHP coach, Curley has a young boys team being led by a thin senior class. Of the 24 members on the team, more than half are either freshman or younger. On the girls side, just six of the 10 swimmers concentrate on the sport year-round.

Expectations are that the longer things plays out, the better the final results will be.

“We’ll continue to get better as we move along in districts, regionals and states, where you need your top scorers to do really well,” said Curley.

They’ve already proven to be up for the task.

– (Contact Orlando Sports Central at JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com) –

The Patriots earned a third-straight trip to the state semifinals with an 18-10 win in a second round play-in game at Lake Highland Prep on Friday.

Chelsea Pinneke scored two goals inside the opening five minutes to give the Patriots an early lead and the Highlanders were unable to recover.

Caroline Lamere, last season’s area player of the year, led the attack with four goals and four assists while Katie Trahanas added four goals and an assist. Pinneke and Jackie Schaefer finished with three goals each in the win.

Twice Lake Brantley held 10-point leads in the second half after building an 8-2 advantage at the break, but second-year coach Hanna Hopkins sees more work to be done moving forward in regards to the team’s draw controls and ground balls.

“Not our best game. But it’s a win, so we’ll take it,” said Hopkins, who played on the 2001 Patriots’ state title team before going on to play for the Florida Gators in Gainesville.

Former high school teammates of Hopkins, Casey Foote and Aubrey White, join former Gator goalie Jen Dunham on the coaching staff.

Lake Brantley (15-3) finished runners-up in the state a year ago. They’ll now meet up with Park Vista on Friday at West Orange High School for the chance to return to the title game. Winter Springs plays Vero Beach in the other semifinal.

The state championship game is scheduled for Saturday, April 24 at 5 p.m. at West Orange.

“We’ve been working since the state championship ended last year to have another chance at next weekend,” said Hopkins. “And we have the team to do it. It’s just a matter of getting it done.”

Trahanas leads the team with 66 goals on the year while midfielders Pinneke and Kaleigh Henry are considered two of the biggest threats on either ends of the field. Senior goalie Heather Gable has benefited from the protection of defenders Christina Monahan and Amira El-Behiri.

Lake Highland Prep (11-6) entered the contest having pulled out close wins over Timber Creek and Bishop Moore to keep its season alive by way of a vastly improved defensive unit.

But they played with their back against the wall for much of the night on Friday as they were overwhelmed early on by swift passes and quick strikes by the Patriots.

Before the game, second-year head coach Amy Demers said the team was well aware of whom they were in comparison to the ever-consistent Patriots, and that after the initial goal of winning a district title (following a two-year drought) was reached, that “everything else is sort of icing on the cake.”

Tyler Thomas led the Highlanders with three goals in the final game of the season. Polly Peck and Elyese Johnson each scored twice. Other players coming up big for LHP this year were Kellie Mitchell and Lauren Gierke.

–– Class 2A ––

An experienced boys team at Lake Mary recorded a 583 score over two days (300, 283) thanks to a solid showing in the second day of competition at Silver Springs Shores (Par 72) in Ocala to beat out Stuart Martin County (581), Weston Cypress Bay (596), Fort Walton Beach (604) and Olympia (605).

- 2A Boys – Team Scores

Leading Lake Mary, and all other golfers in the state, was senior Han Kim with a phenomenal 9-under par score of 135 (70, 65). Olympia’s Joey Petronio tied for second in the state with a 3-under score of 141 (73, 68) at the tournament.

- 2A Boys – Individual Scores

With three freshman and two seniors on its girls golf team Lake Mary wrapped up the state title by eight strokes over Melbourne Viera, 625-633, at the 72-par Ocala Golf Club. Plant City Durant (652) came in third followed by Gulf Breeze (655), Timber Creek (667) and Olympia (670).

- 2A Girls – Team Scores

Lake Mary was led by senior Jessica Schall, who shot a 70 and 76 to tie for seventh in the individual standings. Winter Park senior Brandi Rodriguez tied for second in the state with a 2-under par score of 142 (72, 70).

- 2A Girls – Individual Scores

–– Class 1A ––

The Trinity Prep boys golf team finished in a fourth-place tie with Ocala Trinity Catholic in the team standings at the 72-par Juliette Falls in Dunnellon with a score of 606 after shooting 303 during both days of competition. North Palm Beach Benjamin took the championship with a 580 score followed by Fort Lauderdale Archbishop McCarthy (589) and West Palm Beach Cardinal Newman (590).

- 1A Boys – Team Scores

Trinity Prep was led by sophomore Collin Engelhardt, who finished tied for 12^th overall with Circle Christian freshman Ryan Stovash. They both shot a 3-over total of 147.

- 1A Boys – Individual Scores

The young girls squad at Lake Highland Prep took fourth place with a 629 score behind Plantation American Heritage (590), St. Petersburg Northside Christian (603) and Naples Community School (626) at the 72-par Golden Hills Gold & Turf Club in Ocala.

- 1A Girls – Team Scores

Sophomore Mary Fran Hillow led a Lake Highland team that featured two sophomores, two freshmen and a sixth-grader as she shot a 78 and 70 to tie for ninth overall. Lake Nona freshman Ashley Holder tied for third in the state with a 1-under par score of 143 (73, 70) while Orlando Circle Christian sixth-grader Abbey Carlson shot 1-over par to tie for sixth with a 145 score.

- 1A Girls – Individual Scores

–– More FHSAA State Championship golf coverage ––

Video recap of boys golf at Varsity Sports

Video recap of girls golf at Varsity Sports

– To nominate athletic performances for inclusion each Wednesday to the Top-5 list of Orlando Sports Central Standouts, send over an email to JC@OrlandoSportsCentral.com –

Becca Thomas

1.) Becca Thomas – UCF Knights – She did it again. One week after being named Conference USA Offensive Player of the Week for scoring two game-winning goals, senior Becca Thomas went back-to-back by netting two more game-winners against Rice and Houston (three goals in all) as the Knights got two wins each by a score of 2-1. The nine game-winners by Thomas ranks No. 6 all-time in program history. At 12-3-1 overall and 7-1-0 in C-USA the Knights have moved up to No. 4 in the recent NCAA Ratings Percentage Index report and are ranked in the Top 16 of three different women’s college soccer polls.

2.) Mike Dorcely – Lake Highland Prep Highlanders – Just a freshman, Mike Dorcely is already in his second season as a starter at Lake Highland Prep where last Friday night he scored three touchdowns and intercepted two passes to lead the No. 5 Highlanders (in Class 2B) to a 24-0 win over Mount Dora. Dorcely, described as an energetic and exciting kid with a passion for the game by LHP head coach Tim Borcky, took an interception 99 yards for a score and crossed the goal line on a pass play of 42 yards and a run of 25 yards in the win.

3.) Brooks Bollinger – Florida Tuskers – After completing his first 11 passes of the game last week in Las Vegas, quarterback Brooks Bollinger finished the night 24 of 32 passing for 310 yards and three touchdowns in Florida’s 29-15 win over the Locomotives. Bollinger completed passes to 10 different receivers on the night to help the Tuskers improve to 2-0 and sit alone atop the four-team United Football League. The Tuskers return to action on Thursday night at Florida Citrus Bowl.

Torrell Troup (Photo by Scott McCall)

4.) Felipe Quiroga – Timber Creek Wolves – By scoring a 2-under par on Monday at Timacuan Golf Club in the Class 2A, District 7 boys golf tournament, Felipe Quiroga helped Timber Creek High School capture its first district title. His round of 70 was also the best performance of the day among the district competition. The Wolves, who outdid Winter Park and Ocoee at the event, move on to compete at the regional tournament on Monday at Windermere Country Club.

5.) Torrell Troup – UCF Knights – It was announced on Tuesday that 6-3, 314 pound senior defensive tackle Torrell Troup will represent the UCF Knights at the annual East-West Shrine Game in January at the Florida Citrus Bowl. Troup has demanded double-teams his entire career and was already being looked at by NFL scouts. He has helped the Knights defense rank No. 10 nationally in rushing defense and tackles-for-loss and No. 11 nationally in sacks. Troup has freed himself on the football field enough to record 20 tackles (2.5 for loss) and a sack this season.

More – Orlando Sports Central Standouts – 10/14/09

Lake Highland –

The Highlanders turned two onside kicks into touchdowns in the third quarter to build a 35-19 lead Friday night. Those plays came after trailing 19-13 at the break. Lake Highland’s defense had to turn away a feisty fourth quarter push to help ensure a perfect start to the season.

- Senior QB Bobby Borcky – The leader of LHP’s option offense helped moved the ball along with quick decisions, several runs of nine yards or more, and a touchdown pass in the corner of the end zone in the opening quarter.

- Senior RB/DB Zack McCarrell – On the first play from scrimmage he took the handoff and sped 62 yards for a touchdown. He would go on to score again on runs of 70 and eight yards in the second half. He also pulled down an interception with a minute remaining to close the gate on Jones’ comeback. An open-field tackle he made in the final seconds of the first half proved to be a touchdown-saver.

- Senior LB/TE Jason Root – Put the ball on the ground twice but provided plenty of positives on both ends of the field. Defensively he clogged up the middle and made tackles in the backfield while also recovering a fumble and blocking an extra point in the second quarter. He remained active the entire night and managed to rumble for a gain of 36 yards on one of a handful of carries.

- Freshman RB/DB Mike Dorcely – Opened the game with two big kick returns before Jones abandoned the idea of kicking to him altogether. He played the entire game on defense manned up with a big senior target for Jones and came away from it no worse for the wear. In fact, he broke up several passes, pulled in a one-handed interception in the second quarter, and scored a touchdown in the third quarter on a run of nine yards.

- Freshman RB/LB BJ Simpson – Made big hits on the Jones quarterback for sacks; forced a fumble at the end of the first half and also found the end zone in the win. He recorded runs of 28 and 26 yards while crossing the goal line in the third quarter.

- More Lake Highland (2-0) contributors – Senior Cameron Uranick was in on tackles-for-loss; Sophomore Ty Law broke up a 2-point conversion pass in the end zone; Junior Cody Leiffer caught a pass for 20 yards, made a tackle-for-loss and recovered a fumble; Junior Eric Fernandez recorded a sack for a loss of seven yards; Freshman Landon Stokes recorded a sack of minus four yards; Senior Blake Castillo caught a pass for 13 yards and had several nice runs included one for 24 yards; Senior Tyler Kirkland caught an 11-yard touchdown pass in the corner of the end zone by out jumping a defender in the first quarter.

Jones –

Try as they might, the Tigers fell short largely due to special teams. Yet even while trailing 42-25 in the fourth quarter they rallied back and gave themselves a shot at completing the comeback with more than a minute to go. The trouble for them began with having an extra point blocked in the second quarter. The visiting team was successful on just one of four two-point conversion attempts from that point on.

- Junior QB Angelo Warner – Did everything in his power to put the ball in the hands of his receivers, even if they had trouble holding on for the reception when the pass was on its mark. He took some tough shots by defenders, one in particular on the team’s opening possession. But on that play he was rewarded for it once his pass found it’s way into the end zone.

- Senior WR/FS Stacy Robinson – Might be too good for his own good. Had a tough start to the game, as he seemed to outrun most passes, resulting in too many battles while having to come back for the ball. Although he lost several of those matchups he did shake off his defender for a 91-yard touchdown reception and another big catch of 44-yards that set up a 1-yard touchdown run. Defensively, he used his speed to get in the backfield where he was in on two sacks.

- Senior RB Travis Jones – Showed off his field vision Friday night with some nice runs. Most notable was the 27-yard touchdown he scored by following a smashing lead block by sophomore Joshua Bembery with 5:16 left in second quarter. The score gave Jones the lead, 19-14, at the halftime break.

- Senior WR/RB Raysean Brown – Lined up in the Wildcat formation on offense throughout the night and mainly made his presence felt in the second half. He routinely picked up big gains while on the run (and even catching a pass) and scored twice in the fourth quarter on runs of 12 and three yards.

- More Jones (1-1) contributors – Freshman Levonte Whitfield caught a 38-yard touchdown pass and had another reception of 42 yards; Senior Dante Rogers was on quarterback sacks of minus-three and five yards; Junior Steven Michel was in on a sack of minus-five yards; Junior Lex Edwards caught passes of 13 and 23 yards; Senior LeNorris Lamoute scored on a 1-yard touchdown run; Senior Fillimore Wynter recorded a sack.

– More Lake Highland Prep vs. Jones coverage:

Game story at Orlando Sentinel

Player videos and program info at LHP Athletics

Video interview with Jones WR Robinson at WFTV 9