MACON — The Lake Oconee Academy girls soccer team came up just short against Atlanta Classical Academy in the Class A Division II state championship game at Mercer University’s Five-Star Stadium on May 16.
The Lady Cavaliers edged out the Lady Titans 2-1 to capture their first state title.
The state championship match between ACA and LOA was a defensive battle. The two teams ended the first half in a scoreless tie. They each had their chances to score, but both defenses played aggressively on the pitch.
The Lady Titans had several shots on goal, but opposing keeper Nora Franklin was solid in the net and didn’t let anything get past her.
LOA’s Lauren Glass, Victoria Goubran, and Marley Delinger all had chances to score, but the Lady Cavs and Franklin wouldn’t budge.
ACA also had a few chances to draw first blood, but Lady Titans’ keeper Addison Kelley was perfect through the first 40 minutes.
The match changed drastically in the Lady Cavs’ favor during the first few minutes of the second half, though.
ACA’s girls gained some momentum and the lead as junior midfielder Leighton Maynard scored a pair of goals in the span of 65 seconds.
The first goal was scored off a rebound on a ball she sailed high into the air, as it caught a lucky bounce and got by Kelley in the 48th minute. Maynard’s second goal was on a shot fired off her right foot that found its way into the top-right corner of the net.
Despite being down 2-0, LOA’s girls didn’t give up. They got several attempts from corner kicks, but Franklin stepped up again and made the necessary saves.
The Lady Titans finally scored a goal in the 65th minute. Goubran got them on the board as she squeaked the ball past Franklin, making it a 2-1 match with 15 minutes left. The goal ignited their sideline.
LOA got several more opportunities to score, including an almost-made shot on a free kick by Delinger, but they couldn’t get a shot past Franklin or the ACA defense.
Delinger’s attempt came with less than three minutes left, but Franklin made a crucial save as she leaped in the air and caught the ball. The Lady Cavs proceeded to control the pace on the pitch and secure the win.
For the second consecutive year, LOA reached the state championship match but lost a heartbreaker. Last season, the Lady Titans fell to their former region rival, Aquinas, with the same score of 2-1.
ACA also got revenge after being beaten by LOA in the state playoffs the last two years. The Lady Cavs lost 3-0 to the Lady Titans in the semifinal last season, and 2-1 in the quarterfinals the year before.
LOA ended its 2025 season with a 12-7 overall record.