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East Lake Falls In Semis

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By CRISTINA LEDRA, The Tampa Tribune

Published: February 9, 2008

FORT LAUDERDALE - Lakeland Jenkins senior Kayla Grimsley closed in on East Lake's goal, using every move she had, weaving and faking out the opposing defense.

Her methods themselves would have been the highlight had the goal that resulted not been one of her biggest.

Grimsley's goal, her third of the afternoon, got the Eagles safely out of overtime and into today's Class 5A state championship game as Jenkins beat East Lake 4-3 on Friday in the state semifinals at Lockhart Stadium.

"At halftime the whole team just said to me, 'Kayla, you need to take the leadership and we'll follow,'" Grimsley said. "I had the ball and I knew if I didn't try, there wouldn't be another opportunity. I just had to go for it."

The Eagles (28-0-2) stood stunned at the end of regulation, having given up a two-goal lead on penalty kicks from East Lake's Alicia Nalley in the 74th and 80th minute.

Nalley's second tied the game with 11 seconds left in regulation after Jenkins goalie Karlin Aloisio was assessed a yellow card for bringing down Tatiana Perez in the penalty area. Backup Hanna Green had to come in for the penalty kick and Nalley went to the left as she did on her first goal.

Despite the momentum appearing to turn in East Lake's favor late in the game, Jenkins never felt at a disadvantage. East Lake, (17-6-0) on the other hand, didn't feel it played as well as it could have once the game was in overtime.

"You have to want it for the whole time," Nalley said.

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