MACON — Lake Oconee Academy soccer made history May 15 at Mercer University’s Five-Star Stadium.
The Titans (17-3) secured the Class A Division II boys state championship with a 3-1 victory over Atkinson County (17-5). They defeated the Rebels in double overtime to claim the program’s first state title.
“It feels surreal, but it’s the goal we set at the beginning of the season, and it remained unfinished until now,” LOA coach Tyler Mayer said shortly after the game. “Now it’s complete.”
As he has frequently done this season, Mayer described his team as “resilient” for winning in double overtime. He said his players were dialed in and not fazed after falling behind 1-0 in the first half.
“When you prepare, your performance comes secondhand, and we were prepared,” Mayer said. “This is one resilient team. They’re a band of brothers. It was a ‘team over me’ mentality all year, and this result is just a case in point. That’s what they set out to do, and that was from kickoff to halftime to overtime. We never felt like we were in a position where we were gonna lose that match.”
Atkinson County took a 1-0 lead in the first half on a goal from junior Alex Vega. The Rebels remained on top until the second half when LOA sophomore Leo Inostrosa scored to tie it up.
The end of regulation concluded with the score tied 1-1, forcing the championship match into overtime.
GHSA rules state that overtime will consist of two 10-minute periods, to be played in their entirety.
It didn’t take long for the tie to break when Inostrosa scored again by booting the ball off his right foot from 25 yards out past Atkinson County’s keeper, giving LOA a 2-1 lead in the first extra period.
The Titans’ defense held strong, and senior keeper Knox Van Mol maintained a shutout during the second half and both overtime periods. LOA senior Palmer Larkin netted another goal in the second extra period to seal the 3-1 win.
“Soccer, like any sport, is a game of momentum swings, and our defense continued to lock down,” Mayer said.
He pointed out that Atkinson County didn’t give up a single goal in the state tournament.
However, Inostrosa, who was named MVP of the state title match for his two goals, and Larkin came through in the clutch.
“There’s no way you’re gonna stop our attack,” Mayer declared. “I mean, that’s a team that didn’t give up a single goal in the entire state tournament.
And again, kudos to them and congratulations to Atkinson County.”
When the clock finally hit zero in the second overtime, LOA’s players and coaches rushed the field.
“It was a surreal moment. I keep watching the video [of us] storming the field over and over again,” Mayer said a few days after the win. “I don’t want to lose this feeling. I’m so happy for the boys.”