Lake Mary Girls Soccer Claims Back-to-Back State Championships in Dramatic Penalty Shootout

DE LAND, Fla. – The Lake Mary High School girls soccer team secured their second consecutive FHSAA Class 7A state championship on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, defeating Cypress Bay High 4-3 in a nail-biting penalty shootout at Spec Martin Stadium. The Rams finished the season with a 20-2-1 record.

A Tense Battle to the Finish

After 100 scoreless minutes of play, the championship was decided by penalty kicks. Cypress Bay (21-2) proved a formidable opponent, pushing the Rams to their limits. Lake Mary freshman goalkeeper, Lily Ellis, played a crucial role, making three saves during the shootout.

Susi Seals the Victory

Junior Kailey Susi calmly drilled the fourth penalty kick for Lake Mary, securing the 4-3 victory and sparking celebrations among her teammates and fans. “It’s definitely the most nervous I’ve ever been, but we practice PKs all the time in practice so that helped me be confident,” Susi said. “I was just focused on my breathing and I wanted to do it for my teammates, so I was thinking about them. “It felt amazing. It was just like a perfect experience and a perfect ending.”

Rams’ Road to Success

Despite fielding a young team, Lake Mary posted an impressive 20-2-1 record this season, surpassing their performance from the previous year. Over the past two seasons, the Rams have achieved a remarkable 39-5-3 record. This victory marks the fifth state championship for Lake Mary High School, with previous titles won in 1988, 1998, and 2002.

A Legacy of Excellence

Lake Mary becomes the fourth public school program in the Orlando area to repeat as girls soccer state champions. The other schools to achieve this feat are Lyman (1991-92), Lake Howell (2000-01), and Oviedo (2016-17), all of which are as well located in Seminole County.

Coach Eissele Praises Team Resilience

Head coach Christian Eissele, who took over the program after his father Bill Eissele retired in 2000, praised his team’s resilience and determination. “It’s unreal,” Eissele said. “These kids are so special to me; they mean the world to me and my family. They operate so hard every day. To witness that hard work paying off and them reaching their goals is just super special.” He also highlighted the pressure of the penalty shootout, stating, “It’s hard. Your players are so tired and I’m over there trying to make the best decisions, but it’s hard because all that matters is an instant and dealing with pressure.”

Key Performances

In addition to Susi’s winning penalty kick, Natalie Rowen, senior Ava McKay, and junior Myah Bonnett also successfully converted their penalty kicks. Freshman goalkeeper Lily Ellis was instrumental in the victory, making crucial saves during the shootout. “Everything I ever dreamed of as a kid just came true right now,” Ellis said.

Near Misses in Regulation

Despite dominating much of the game, Lake Mary struggled to locate the back of the net in regulation time. Sophomore Siena Sigurdsson had a promising opportunity in the 53rd minute, but her shot went wide. A penalty kick in the 10th minute was also saved by Cypress Bay’s goalkeeper, Alejandra Duran.

Looking Ahead

Junior Teagan Jahns, the team’s leading scorer with 24 goals, expressed optimism for the future. “It definitely sets a standard for future years and it just shows how relentless we are and how strong-bonded we are and just that no matter what comes at us we can always find a way out of it,” Jahns said. “It really sets the tone for the next years to come.”