Pfingston, Dykes lead Lake Wales over Lake Gibson in 5A-8 semis

LAKE WALES — It took all the way to the district semifinals for Lake Wales to finally have its entire roster ready to go at the same time, and the result was simply dominating.

The Highlanders scored twice in the first four minutes and overwhelmed Lake Gibson, 8-0, on Monday night in the Class 5A, District 8 girls soccer semifinals at Legion Field.

The Highlanders will play at Auburndale at 7 p.m. on Wednesday for the district title.

"It's been incredible how many quarantines and injuries and illnesses that we've had all year," Lake Wales coach Michael Flood said. "Hopefully, we're in the right the place at the right time. When we have everybody and are playing like this, I feel we're as good as we've been in the last couple of years, maybe better. I haven't had the chance to judge it."

Chanley Pfingston scored four goals, and Bailey Dykes scored twice to lead Lake Wales' offensive barrage. Pfingston missed most of the season with an ankle injury she sustained early in the season-opener against Fort Meade.

"It feels amazing (to be back)," said Phingston, who returned two weeks ago against Lakeland Christian. "It's been so long."

Phingston was slowed the second half of her junior year with a hip injury before returning less than 100 percent in the playoffs then was hurt on what she said was basically the first play of the season.

"It was frustrating," she said. "It was a big mental block. It was like I was finally ready to get back and all of a sudden, nope, everything came to a big halt."

It didn't take long for Lake Wales to take control of the match against Lake Gibson (11-7-1). Dykes scored twice in the first four minutes to give Lake Wales a quick 2-0 lead.

As the game progressed, Lake Gibson began playing tentative and only had a few offensive attacks that posed a threat.

"I could see my team started feeling the pressure and lost their composure," Lake Gibson coach Alan Lee said. "It's unfortunate. Hats off to Lake Wales. They're a great team and they deserved to win. I told my players, we'll be back on the radar next season."

By the first-half water break, Lake Wales led 4-0, and Phingston's third consecutive goal made it 5-0 in the 30th minute.

Ellie Unzueta's goal late in the first half, gave Lake Wales a 6-0 halftime lead.

Phingston and Brooke Dykes scored in the first 10 minutes of the second half to end the match.

Auburndale 7, Tampa King 0

Top-seeded Auburndale will try to knock off the defending champion Highlanders after advancing to the final with a dominating performance against King.

Brianna Brudy recorded a hat trick, and Brooke Stubbs-Smith scored twice. Braley Williams and Kera Houser each added one goal.