The Lakeland Lakers esports team was finally able to face off against the Catawba Valley Redhawks on Friday night after the original match was postponed twice. Lakeland's Ackema Royes wasted little time in pacing the Lakers to a decisive 2-0 victory.
Game 1
Lakeland selected Paris Saint-Germain while Catawba selected Barcelona.
Catawba Valley had the opening possession. Neither team was able to take control early as they battled in a defensive game. In the 30th minute, the Lakers broke through to take a 1-0 lead. The Lakers played a through ball splitting the Catawba defenders, pulling the keeper off the line. Lakeland then passed the ball wide left seting up an open shot on goal. Lakeland would score again in the 38th minute to take a 2-0 lead. Catawba responded with their opening goal in the 44th minute. The Redhawks scored off the wide post making it 2-1 at the half.
Lakeland would have possession to start the second half. The Redhawks intercepted a pass and chipped the keeper to knot the score at 2-2. The second half was a battle for possession until Lakeland executed a counterattack that lead to a goal in the 86th minute. In extra time, Lakeland scored their final goal off a crossed ball to give them the final 4-2 victory.
Game 2
Lakeland selected Paris Saint-Germain and Catawba selected Barcelona.
Lakeland opened the game with possession. Catawba would take early control though as the Lakers were tasked with making three defensive saves on Catawba's attack. After the successful stops, Lakeland was able to drive down the right flank for the first goal of the match in the 22 minute. Minutes later, Lakeland would score again off a turnover in the midfield taking a 2-0 lead. Catawba would have a chance in the 35th minute on a shot that rang off the posr. Lakeland led 2-0 at halftime.
The Lakers continued to control the play early and scored on a cross from the left flank and a volley to take a 3-0 lead in the 53rd minute. From there, the Lakers cruised to the 5-2 victory over the Redhawks.
Next Up: The Lakers are scheduled to play Garden City Communirty College on Monday, March 13 at 9:00 pm. Watch the action at twitch.tv/Lakeland_esports