Playoffs in full swing for soccer

Several Columbia County high school soccer teams saw their seasons come to an end last week in the first round of the state playoffs.

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Evans' girls, Greenbrier's girls, Lakeside's girls and Lakeside's boys all fell in their first round games.

Two teams survived.

Harlem's girls and Greenbrier's boys each picked up home wins in their first round games. The Lady Bulldogs knocked off third-seeded LaGrange 3-1, while the Wolfpack eliminated fourth-seeded Fayette County 4-0 on Wednesday night.

Greenbrier and Fayette County fought to a scoreless tie at halftime that put the momentum in the visiting team's favor.

"We weren't in panic mode, but I was concerned certainly because I think they gained a lot of confidence at halftime," Greenbrier boys soccer coach Chip Warren said.

The Wolfpack played a dominant second half that saw four Greenbrier goals scored in a span of 12 minutes. Junior Pieter James began the scoring after he outran two Fayette County defenders and avoided an offsides call to beat the goalkeeper with a shot to the left side of the net.

Senior Dallas Dickerson, freshman Hunter Norton and sophomore Kyler Harden all scored later in the half on what Dallas called "fluke" goals. All three scores came almost by accident.

"Weird is a good way to describe it," Greenbrier boys soccer coach Chip Warren said. "Those are the kind of goals we usually give up. It was good to get goals like that for once."

The Harlem girls scored in more traditional ways in their Class AAA state tournament first round win. The Lady Bulldogs fell behind 1-0 but answered with three goals and a staunch defense that head coach George Berry said made the difference.

"We matched up pretty well with them," Berry said. "Our sweeper Stephanie Martinez had a cramp, and her sister Whitney had to come in for her. She's been at midfield for us, but she was in her element at sweeper. She did a great job."

Harlem's Jaimy Koet scored twice in the win while Liz Tucker also scored a goal. Lady Bulldog goalkeeper Megan Morgan made eight saves on the night to help Harlem advance to the second round of the state tournament.

The Lady Bulldogs will face the winner of Thursday night's Westover vs. Perry game in the second round Tuesday.