The 2024 regular season for Lake Oconee Academy (LOA) boys’ soccer team has come to a close.
The Titans finished with an overall 12-2-1 record and 5-1 in region play, and now feel ready to make a run at hoisting a state championship. They’re looking to avenge a disappointing second-round exit last year.
“The season ended really good,” LOA head coach Conner Domaleski said. “We finished strong.”
The Titans have won seven straight games since their last loss in early March to GMC Prep. In that span, they allowed only three goals against while scoring 33 times.
According to Domaleski, the team altered a few things offensively after the loss to GMC Prep.
“We changed up our formation a little bit and have looked very, very good,” the coach said.
Lake Oconee Academy had a match against Aquinas during that frame to settle which team would earn the No. 2 seed behind GMC Prep entering the state playoffs. The Titans came out on top.
“Aquinas was the big game we were concerned about,” Domaleski said. “We beat them 3-0 and played a really good game.”
Lake Oconee Academy has now shifted its focus to the state tournament. Two years ago, the Titans made a run at the Final Four, but last season ended earlier than expected.
Domaleski knows anything can happen in the playoffs, but the team feels good about its position going in. His roster this year is deep, with many juniors and sophomores leading the way.
“We’ve had a lot of guys step up and play very well,” the coach said. “We look very solid all around.”
Down the stretch, Lake Oconee Academy has had several players step up their games, especially in the back line.
“Trey Thurmond, my senior back there, has been a rock. He’s been very, very good out there,” Domaleski said. “Noah Watson has been another defender and has helped keep us in matches this year.”
Offensively, Palmer Larkin, Leonardo Inostrosa, Leo Perez, Nick Jaronski, and others have led the way. The Titans will rely heavily upon these players to help power them through the state playoffs.
“Obviously, state is the goal,” Domaleski said. “I think we’re one of the best four teams in the state. Easily.”
Next week, top-seed LOA will play the winner of the Atlanta Classical Academy and Lanier County match.