Highlanders Host District Soccer Finals Thursday Night at Legion Field

The Lake Wales High School Highlanders' soccer squad will host the Class 4-A District 2 Championship game against Middleton Thursday night at Legion Field in Lake Wales, hoping for their first district title since 2017.

Courtesy Mehki Williams

Highlanders backup goalie Mason Unzueta goes high to block a goal during a match at Legion Field. Starting goalie Joseph Kralik leads the district in saves with 167 saves.

"It's gonna' be a big game," said Highlanders Varsity Assistant Head Coach Mehki Williams.

The Orange and Black earned a first-round bye and second seed in the tournament by virtue of their 9-8-1 record. Middleton, 6-8-1 on the season, climbed up the board by upsetting top-seeded Lake Region on Tuesday by a 4-2 score. Both teams defeated third-seed Mulberry to earn their places in the final match which the Highlanders will host at Legion Field on Lakeshore Boulevard in Lake Wales.

The local squad will be anchored by goalkeeper Joseph "Joey" Kralik, who led the district in saves with 167. "Joey's a brick wall," Williams said of Kralik.

Other team leaders include striker/midfielder Martin Aguilar, striker Liam Tully, and Bryson Woods, a center back, who leads the region in steals with 258.

Courtesy Mehki Williams

The Highlander soccer team gathers for some bonding during their winning season, the squad is within striking distance of their first district title since 2017.

"He's definitely a hawk," Williams said of Woods. "He definitely can stick."

The Highlanders have been playing interscholastic soccer since the 2006-2007 school year but have won the district only once. This will be the squads' deepest run under the direction of varsity Heather Romanosky. If the Highlanders can prevail, they will advance to their first regional tournament in eight years.