SIMA controls play in blanking Tropics 2-0 in southeast division showdown

MONTVERDE, Fla. – The Lakeland Tropics stay atop the USL Premier Development League's southeast division was short lived.

The SIMA Aguilas controlled most of the play, and had most of the good scoring chances, in defeating the Tropics 2-0 Friday night, Lakeland's first loss of the season in six starts. SIMA improved to 4-0-2 good for 14 points, while the Tropics fell to 4-1-1, with 13 points and now in second place.

Goals in the 54th minute by Leonardo Novaes and in the 61st minute from Rafael Santos provided the margin of victory. The Tropics had scored 12 goals in their last four games, but the offense never fired, suffering their first shutout of the season.

The Tropics are on the road Tuesday at North County United, before returning to Bryant Stadium for a huge homestand, welcoming three straight teams that all played in this years Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. The Villages SC will be in town June 16, followed by FC Miami City on June 23, and wrapping up with a rematch against SIMA on June 30.