GREENE COUNTY
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Lake Oconee Academy girls soccer team improved to 11-6-1 after winning its Elite 8 match 2-1. They move on to face Towns County in the Final 4. CONTRIBUTED
After defeating Johnson County 2-0 at the beginning of last week, the Lake Oconee Academy Lady Titans had to travel up to the state’s capital to take on Atlanta Classical Academy in the Elite 8 of the GHSA Class A Division II state playoffs.
The Lady Titans found themselves battling with the Lady Cavaliers from the first touch, but head coach Kourtney Kelley’s team persisted until the last whistle, and it paid off.
For a good bit of the match, the score was knotted at 1-1, but Lake Oconee Academy was able to put one in the back of the net with 53 seconds left on the clock to go up 2-1.
The Lady Titans were able to hold off the Lady Cavaliers for those last few moments before time expired and punched their ticket to the Final Four.
In comparison to last season, the Lady Titans have already surpassed their peak.
Not only did Kelley’s team perform better during the regular season this year, but they have gone further into the postseason.
Last season, the Lady Titans ended the year with just a plus-four goal differential after completing 18 matches, while this year’s team currently has a plus-15 goal differential.
With the development over the offseason and the addition of new talent, the LOA girls’ program has made great strides to get where they are now.
Atlanta Classical Academy was also the school that cut Lake Oconee Academy’s playoff time short last year after beating the Lady Titans 8-0 in the first round, so to get one back on the Lady Cavaliers is a huge confidence boost for the girls going forward.
Looking ahead, Kelley’s squad will have to face a familiar foe in the state semifinals.
The Lady Titans prepare to host the Towns County Lady Indians on April 27, a region opponent that LOA has already beaten before.
The Lady Titans finished one game higher than the Lady Indians did in the region standings, and Kelley’s team won this season’s only match between the two schools 3-0.
Ultimately, the girls team has a very real opportunity to secure a spot in the GHSA Class A Division II State Championship but will have to still play their style of soccer to avoid slipping up against Towns County.
The Lady Indians are on a six-game winning streak while the Lady Titans are on a three-game winning streak, so both teams will meet each other in great form.