Lakeside reached the quarterfinals of last year’s state tournament, before falling to eventual runner-up Brookwood. The Vikings appear dangerous again this year.
Five starters are back from last year's squad and have led the Vikings to a 13-0 start to the season. They’ve outscored opponents 77-5 through 13 games.
The key to their hot start, coach Ben Smith says, has been more offensive firepower. But that offense won’t be at full strength for a while.
Senior captain Max Wieder, the leading goal-scorer in DeKalb County with 16, will miss some time with a strained hamstring. Wieder tweaked his hamstring last week against Tucker and is expected to miss a couple of weeks, according to Smith.
Wieder’s absence did not slow down the Vikings offense in Monday’s 9-1 win over Rockdale County, though.
“We changed to a much more attacking style this year,” Smith said. “We attack in a variety of ways and move the ball very well all around the field. Our team works very well together and blends a variety of styles.”
Wieder and fellow senior Bradley Gavrielides, a talented midfielder, have been a part of the varsity since their freshman seasons and have developed an excellent rapport, Smith added.
Gavrielides had a hat trick with three goals in Monday's win over Rockdale.
“Brad is an excellent center midfielder that controls the flow,” Smith said. “He plays very well with (midfielders) Ulises [Morales] and Will Mallory in the middle.”
Morales had a goal and three assists against Rockdale.
Smith also pointed to twin brothers, sophomores Raul Tinoco and Saul Tinoco, as catalysts to the Vikings’ hot start. The Tinoco brothers combined for two goals and three assists versus Rockdale.
“Our defense has been playing really well lately,” Smith added. “The defense has focused on staying organized and getting the ball back quickly to the feet of our attacking players.”
