While Lakeland Christian and Fort Meade fall, McKeel stays alive in boys soccer playoffs.
LAKELAND — The 2025-26 Lakeland Christian boys soccer team wasn’t Grandy Streets’ most talented team, but it certainly was one of Streets’ favorite group to coach. It was an overachieving group of players who gave him their all.
Unfortunately for the Vikings, it wasn’t enough on Tuesday night.
Tampa Berkeley Prep gained the momentum for about 15 minutes during the second half, and Matthew Carroll scored the only goal of the match in the 66th minute to defeat Lakeland Christian, 1-0, in the Class 1A, Region 3 quarterfinals.
The Vikings season came to and end, but the finished 9-7-2 and claimed another district title.
“It's been a really fun year,” Streets said. “It's probably been one of the top teams I've ever coached as far as experiences. I’m very proud of all of them.”
While there is a core of underclassmen whom Streets will build around, the Vikings will have to replace the defensive core, led by goalkeeper Ben Harrison. He made a couple of outstanding saves against Berkeley Prep that kept LCS in the match.
“He’s a phenomenal goalkeeper,” Sreets said.
The other seniors who led LCS were Micah Roloff, Reyeker Bradford and Kristian Spann. And it’s not just their play on the field that has to be replace.
“The leadership of Micah is phenomenal,” Streets said. “He's probably the best leader I've ever had. I've never had a leader like that. Same thing with Ben — just tremendous leadership.”
Going forward, LCS will build around Jackson Castano, Parker Wilson, Parker Harrell, Ryder Sullivan, Evan Grieger, Jackson Green and Dylan Coyle.
“I like all the kids that are on this team,” Streets said. “There’s about eight who are going to return who are very good, and then there’s your JV team and our middle school. We have a lot of young eighth- and ninth-graders who are fantastic players. It’ll be a young team for the next couple of years, and in a few years, they’re going to be something special.”
Also in 1A, Region 3, Fort Meade’s season came to an end as Carrollwood Day defeated the Miners, 8-0.
3A-2: McKeel 8, Angeline 0
Stryker Holmes scored three goals and added two assists to lead McKeel in the regional quarterfinals.
William Johnson and Daniel Rathore each had two goals and one assist. Jurem Alejo also had a goal. Ian Acevedo picked up two assists, and Milan Chivraman added one assist.
McKeel advanced to play at Calary Christian at 7 p.m. on Feb. 10 in the regional semifinals.
This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Boys soccer: Lakeland Christian, Fort Meade falls, McKeel advances
Category: General Sports
