Diegues goal in 88th minute saves a point for Tropics in 3-3 tie with North County United

LAKELAND, Fla – Four goals in the final fifteen minutes weren't enough to decide a winner as the Lakeland Tropics and North County United settled for a 3-3 tie in their USL Premier Development League soccer game Sunday night at Bryant Stadium

Tropics captain Ricardo Diegues saved a point for Lakeland with a lofted shot from 12 yards out to the left of the goal that floated into the far corner of the net just before extended time. The United had taken a 3-2 lead on goals by Ignacio Diaz and Andrew Booth before Diegues -- who has scored in each of Lakeland's first three games – played hero in the 88th minute.

Lakeland's Ramzi Toure started the late-game goal barrage with a cross that turned into an own-goal giving the Tropics a 2-1 lead in the 75th minute.

The win moves the Tropics into sole possession of second place in the PDL southeastern division with seven points, three behind the SIMA Aguilas (3-0-1) and one ahead of The Villages SC (2-0-0).

The Tropics broke on top early when Juan Tejada picked up a rebound and found the back of the net less than 10 minutes in. A distance try from Lakeland midfielder Troy Gonzales shot wasn't handled cleanly by United goalkeep Marcellin Goheir and Tejada picked up the lose ball just a few feet away from goal.

North County's Joseph O'Sullivan tied things up with about six minutes minutes to go in the half on a pretty re-direct of a long ball into the box in front of Tropics netminder Gustavo Vasconcelos. Lakeland's Matheus Assumpcao just missed giving the hosts a 2-1 lead in stoppage time before intermission, banging a sharp-angled shot from in close off the cross bar.

Sunday starts a busy week for the Tropics, who will travel Wednesday to meet Weston FC before returning next Saturday to Bryant Stadium for a 7 p.m. start against IMG Academy Bradenton.