Strawbridge does it all for top-ranked Lakeland Christian boys soccer to district title

LAKELAND — That Henry Strawbridge played a key role in Lakeland Christian’s boys soccer victory on Thursday night isn’t surprising, as he’s one of the top players on Polk County. It’s what he did that made it, well, not surprising as much as unusual.

The Lakeland Christian senior nearly had a hat trick as he scored the first two goals in the Vikings’ 4-0 victory over Seffner Christian in the championship match of the Class 2A, District 7 boys soccer tournament at Viking Stadium.

LCS (15-3-2) will play in the regional quarterfinals on Tuesday at home.

Strawbridge’s most important contribution usually comes as being one of the team's top defenders, anchoring a back line that has been a strength. However, Strawbridge’s goal against McKeel in November gave Lakeland Christian a big win, and his seven goals, including the two on Friday, is third most on the team.

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“He’s really special,” LCS coach Grandy Streets said. “His skill is tremendous. First touch is tremendous. His tactical ability to read a game is second to none. ... He's a silent leader.”

Strawbridge scored his first goal on a first-half penalty kick that gave LCS a 1-0 halftime lead. His second goal came when his long shot slipped through the goalkeeper’s hands in the second half.

“I got lucky on that one,” he said.

The shutout was the Vikings’ 13th of the season, and his play defensively is where he makes his biggest impact.

“He’s calm, he's collected,” Streets said. “He and Charlie (Hill) are both phenomenal. Charlie's right there with him. Those two and Gray (Ottman) and Landon (Harrell) and Micah (Roloff). I'm really proud of my back four today the way they played. We’re a good defensive team.”

Strawbridge takes pride with his play on defense as he and Hill have developed great chemistry in front of Ottman.

“Charlie's great,” Strawbridge said. “It's fun hanging playing with him and Landon and Micah on the wings. They're super fast, they're quick. So we're all really solid.”

Lakeland Christian’s two-goal lead was basically insurmountable with the way the defense was playing, but the Vikings added two more goals. Avery Cassell made a strong run, got around the goalkeeper and scored to make it 3-0.

Strawbridge, later in the match, made a strong feed to spring Roloff, who moved up and made a run down the left side then dribbled into the goal.

“I thought we were going to win,” Strawbridge said. “They're a good team. They came out really hard and they wanted to beat us, but we, we matched their intensity and put it away.”

The Vikings are ranked No. 1 in Class 2A in the FHSAA rankings so they’re also ranked No. 1 in the region, giving them home field throughout the playoffs. They’re in good position to make a run at the final four.

“I think we’ve got a great team,” Strawbridge said. “Grandy is so good and coaches us really well. It’s just one step at the time into the next game, and we can do it.”

This article originally appeared on The Ledger: Strawbridge leads Lakeland Christian to boys soccer district title