Cavaliers could get last laugh in region

Augusta Prep didn't win its Region 1-AAA boys soccer rematch against rival Westminster on Tuesday, but the Cavaliers didn't fully lose, either.

//

While Westminster notched a 2-1 win at Augusta Prep, the result likely will be a tie in the GISA Region 1-AAA standings. The Wildcats finished the season with a 9-1 region record. Augusta Prep, at 8-1, has one game remaining.

"This sets up a big trip to Milledgeville on Tuesday," Augusta Prep coach Forrest Wimberly said. "With a big win on Tuesday, it puts us as the region champions."

Wimberly sifted through three different levels of region tiebreakers before coming to the conclusion that the Cavaliers need a four-goal victory on the road against John Milledge Academy this week to claim an outright Region 1-AAA title. A three-goal win would put Augusta Prep and Westminster as region co-champions, and anything less would give Westminster the region title.

Wimberly, whose team beat John Milledge 4-0 at home on Sept. 23, said he likes his team's chances.

"We match up with them extremely well," he said. "With the players we have, I think we have the talent to go get that big win."

Westminster coach Mike Freace echoed Wimberly's opinion on the Augusta Prep/John Milledge matchup. However, he said his team is more focused on the state playoffs.

"The expectations are the same as ever," Freace said. "We're a good team, and I think we're peaking at the right time."

Not only is a region title up for grabs, the region's No. 1 seed in the GISA Class AAA state playoffs is also at stake. Both the Nos. 1 and 2 seeds will earn first-round home playoff games, but the first-round matchup for the top seed in Region 1-AAA is much more appealing.

First Presbyterian Day School, Mount De Sales Academy and Stratford Academy, all Region 2-AAA teams ranked in the GISA Class AAA top 5, will pose a difficult challenge for their Region 1-AAA opponent in the first round. The Region 1-AAA winner most likely will face 7-7-0 Tattnall Square Academy.