The Terrapins (12-3, ranked No. 7 in the Florida Athletic Coaches Association state poll) showed flashes of brilliance but could not capitalize on their chances against No. 5 Vikings (10-4-1).

"We had stretches where we played well, but you can't afford that against a team like Lakeland,'' Prep coach Jose DaCosta said. "You have to play well for the whole 80 minutes.''

Lakeland Christian showed its hallmark ball control in the first half, outshooting the Terrapins 7-0 in the first 25 minutes.

Terps goalie Danny Wendlek denied two point blank shots before Andrew Knowlton finished on a corner kick from Nathan Patterson in the 23rd minute.

Then, Tampa Prep (12-3, ranked No. 7) got to work. Peter Novitsky passed up the left wing to David Hughes, who crossed to Daryl Ogle for his 20th goal of the year.

Hughes' shot on a wide-open breakaway sailed just high a minute later.

Five minutes into the second half, the Vikings took the lead again when Dustin Douglass finished on a through ball from John Gordon.

Viking goalie Matt Sligh had the save of the match in the 54th minute. Terps fullback David Smolker came forward to nail a header on a hard corner from Rod Diaz, but Sligh's diving save tipped it just wide.

Moments later, Hughes fed Ogle again, but Sligh was there to tip it wide again.

With less than two minutes to play, Douglass buried his second goal, and Jonathon Streets nailed a free kick for the final margin.

"(Prep) had more speed than us,'' Vikings coach Dean Johnson said. "We talked at halftime about taking their legs away with our ball control game, and it seemed to work pretty well, especially at the end.''

Tampa Prep has another tough challenge when it takes on No. 2 Bradenton St. Stephen's tonight at 6.

©1999 St. Petersburg Times.