Lakeside girls still going for soccer title

Eight Columbia County high school soccer squads kicked their way into the region playoffs.

Only one still stands.

The Lakeside Lady Panthers secured a berth in the final four with a 5-1 win over Forsyth Central on Friday. They defeated Northgate 3-1 in the second round and Shaw 10-0 in the first.

Lakeside travels to South Forsyth tonight for a semifinal match.

Panthers coach Donny Rogers plans to approach the game just like any other in the post-season.

"We have been working on finishing activities to assist in creating more scoring opportunities in the final third of the field," he said. "Defensively, we have been working on one-on-ones and simple clearances as well as communicating with the other defenders on the roles of the first and second defender.

"(I'm) just trying to keep the girls relaxed, focused on the game, and allowing them to have fun in this environment."

Greenbrier and Harlem girls each faltered Saturday night in the quarterfinals.

Tied 2-2 at the overtime buzzer, the match came down to penalty kicks for the Lady Wolfpack. The Greenbrier girls netted three times to St. Pius' four.

"I've never been so disappointed after a game in my life," Greenbrier senior captain Nicki Gray said. "Everyone's upset. There's no words for this. We played hard this season and this year was such a positive. We should have gone further."

Greenbrier finished the season with a 14-5-1 record.

Harlem fell 11-0 to Atlanta-based Lovett.

The No. 2-ranked Lady Dogs, who entered the with a state-best 20-1-0 record, spent most of the match on defense, trying the wrangle the ball away from the Lady Lion's quick passing game.

Lovett also knocked Harlem out in last year's quarterfinals with a 16-1 victory.

It's a common point of contention for teams playing against Atlanta squads, who heavily recruit players from the area's prolific club teams.

"I would put my team up against any public school in the state," Harlem coach George Berry said of his girls. "If that sounds like sour grapes, so be it."

Evans' Lady Knights never made it past the first round.

On the boys side, Lakeside made it the furthest before losing in the quarterfinals Friday to Dalton 3-2.

Lakeside entered the match ranked No. 3 with a 15-3-3 record, but Dalton's aggressive tactics proved too much for the Panthers.

"We played this team in the quarterfinals a couple of years ago and won, but they were a tough team to beat," Lakeside coach Dave Morgan said. "This was just their night. If we had to lose, I'm glad it was to them."

Evans and Greenbrier boys each lost in the second round, and Harlem's boys never made it past the first.