Clayton News Daily

Photo by Doug gorman Lovejoy's Abria Allen tries to get past a Lakeside Evans defender in Tuesday's first-round of the Class AAAA playoffs.

By Doug Gorman

dgorman@news-daily.com

The Lovejoy Lady Wildcats soccer team used its quickness to track down several balls Tuesday night in the Lakeside-Evans end of the field, but it wasn't enough as they fell 4-2 in the first-round of the Class AAAA State Tournament at Twelve Oaks Stadium.

Lovejoy picked up a first-half goal from Abria Allen and Lakeside added one for a 1-1 tie at the half.

Then early in the second half, the Lady Panthers got two quick goals to steal the momentum.

The Lady Wildcats answered back midway through the second half when Cheyna Williams stole the ball near the Lady Panthers goal and scored on the breakaway, cutting the lead to 3-2.

Lakeside-Evans added an insurance goal late, and despite a few more scoring opportunities, the Lady Wildcats season came to an end.

Freshman goalkeeper Dominque Bridges made several key saves during the first round playoff game.

"We played hard, but we just couldn't get the breaks to fall our way," said head coach Rory Welch. "That's soccer though, sometimes those things happen."

The loss ends Lovejoy's season at 10-2.

Despite ending its season earlier than they had hoped, there's reason for optimism.

Next year the squad brings back three seniors that are already committed to Division I schools in Allen (Georgia Southern), Williams (Vanderbilt) and Dee Bucky (Jacksonville).

Union Grove 7, Lee County 0: Despite having to go on the road for its first-round game, the Wolverines dominated the playoff opener, winning 7-0.

The No. 4-ranked Lady Wolverines now play at Lakeside-Evans next week.