Lakewood Ranch's Sports Teams Shine Bright in January 2026

Lakewood Ranch's sports teams had a fantastic start to the year. The girls soccer team, led by coach Cole Richardson, faced some big changes. They lost key players, including top scorer Olivia Hadad. But they found new talent, like freshmen Alyssa Pistone and Kiley Mulligan. Coach Richardson also made smart moves, like shifting Merritt Shea from defense to offense. This helped the team go from a slow start to a winning streak. The girls soccer team showed their strength in a big win against Braden River. They scored four goals and kept a clean sheet. The team's success comes from good teamwork and smart plays. Coach Richardson compared it to chess, saying they had to figure out the best moves.The boys soccer team also had a great win. They beat Riverview 2-1, extending their undefeated streak to 15 matches. Senior Iouka Coue scored both goals. The team is close to making history with an undefeated season. In basketball, Sarasota Christian's teams had strong performances. The boys beat DeSoto County 70-53, led by Ben Milliken's 21 points. The girls dominated Community Christian 70-35, with Nikki Olupitan scoring 21 points. Cardinal Mooney's boys also had a big win, beating Imagine School at North Port 68-33. Bradenton Christian's girls soccer team had a standout performance too. They won 10-0 against St. Pete Canterbury, with Kamryn Benigni scoring five goals. These wins show how talented and hardworking the teams are. They faced challenges but came out stronger. The coaches and players made smart choices that paid off. It's exciting to see these teams do so well.