AUBURNDALE- The King’s Academy girls soccer program made history on Wednesday night, downing Palmer Trinity (Miami) in a shoot out to win the program’s first-ever state championship.  The win capped a remarkable 23-1 season for the Lions, by far the greatest season in TKA history.

The road to Auburndale was anything but easy for the Lions, starting all the way back in the district tournament.  Taking on rival Benjamin, the Lions won their first district title in 14 years in a dramatic 2-1 overtime win over the Bucs.  After a relatively easy win in the regional quarterfinals, the Lions faced serious adversity in their regional semifinal match with Holy Trinity Episcopal.  Up 1-0 early in the second half, goalkeeper Sabrina Callejas was assessed a red card for an apparent handball stopping a scoring opportunity outside of the box.  Senior Kiersten Zimmerman played the final 30 minutes in goal with the Lions defense holding off a frantic HTEA attack 10 on 11.  The regional final was once again a defensive battle, with a late Mia Mackrey goal being the difference in a 1-0 championship effort.  The trip to the state finals was the program’s first since 2009.

The state final rounds would not prove to be any less dramatic than the previous rounds for the Lions.  Facing four-time state champion Lakeland Christian in the semi-finals, the teams battled to a 0-0 tie through overtime, setting up a penalty shootout to advance.  Callejas had a tremendous save in the sixth round and senior Coco Joos drove home her attempt to propel the Lions to the finals.  The championship match was a carbon copy of the semi-final, with the teams taking the game to penalties for the title.  Callejas had three impressive saves and buried her own attempt, setting up senior Sophia Cueto to win the match.  Her try found the back of the net, ending the match and the Lions long search for an elusive state title.

The TKA defense posted an incredible 19 shutouts throughout the season, and the team outscored opponents 87-7.  Seven seniors—Lola Hathorne, Joos, Cueto, Zimmerman, Adeline Roach, Nevaeh Mossop and Taylor Cytacki—will graduate with a state title on their resume.  The Lions return their leading scorer in Mackrey as well their goalkeeper in the sophomore Callejas, along with top defender Deionce Storey.  TKA will return 10 additional letterwinners as well.