GHSA Soccer State Championship Central

The GHSA soccer state championships take place from Tuesday to Friday at McEachern in Powder Springs, Duluth High School in Duluth and Mercer University in Macon.

See the results below.

Class 7A

Girls — Girls — Denmark 0 (4), Walton 0 (2)

After a scoreless match in regulation, penalty kicks decided the fate for the 7A girls championship between Walton and Denmark. The Lady Danes won 4-2 in a penalty kicks shootout that helped deliver their first state title in program history. During its run to the championship, Denmark was led by senior Jordyn Crosby who scored 23 goals this season. The Lady Danes defeated Kennesaw Mountain 3-0, Norcross 5-2, Richmond Hill 4-0, and Campbell 1-0 this postseason. Walton was seeking to win its second ever state championship and first since 1993. Before the loss the Lady Raiders were on an eight-game winning streak, outscoring opponents by four goals a game.

Boys — Lambert 3 (5), Walton 3 (4)

An incredible game with a thrilling finish, Lambert and Walton each showed their resilience in a back-and-forth game where both teams gave it their all. Lambert won its fourth title in program history, first since 2019, and simply wouldn’t go away despite being pushed to the brink by Walton. The Longhorns’ two juniors Mason Keith and Cole Nelson scored crucial goals in the game. Keith’s goal got the Longhorns right back in it before halftime to give Lambert some momentum, and Nelson’s goal came less than three minutes into the second half for a 2-1 advantage. For Walton, senior Jaoa Ramos was instrumental on offense. Ramos (Michigan-commit) scored a hat trick Friday night and scored back-to-back goals in a three-minute span to give Walton a 3-2 lead after they trailed early in the second half. Lambert’s late goal pushed the game into overtime before a penalty shootout where they won 5-4.  Lambert was the second-ranked team in the country, according to Maxpreps.com prior to the championship game. Nelson and Keith led the Longhorns in scoring this season accounting for 95 points.

Class 6A

Girls — Roswell 2, Marist 0

A pair of goals from its two underclassmen led Roswell past Marist for its first state title in program history. Freshman Maya Misawa scored with 35:55 left in the second half and sophomore Rachel Phifer followed by scoring a goal five seconds later to help push the Lady Hornets to a 2-0 lead they never relinquished. Marist came into the state championship as the defending state champion in 4A but moved up to 6A because of reclassification. The Lady War Eagles were seeking their 12th title in program history, but Roswell pulled off an improbable run handing Marist its first loss of the season. Roswell was the No. 4 seed entering the playoffs and produced four shutouts in their five playoff games.

Boys — Lassiter 3, River Ridge 2

There was no shortage of scoring in the 6A state championship as River Ridge and Lassiter combined for five goals and continued to throw haymakers at each other. Lassiter survived and is now a two-time defending state champion after an electric 3-2 victory against River Ridge. Junior Tyler Aromin was crucial on the attack for the Trojans as he scored a huge penalty kick in overtime to give Lassiter a 3-2 advantage. Aromin finished the game with a brace. River Ridge was seeking to win its first title in program history and got big contributions from Junior Dean Matthews and Sophomore Chris Asbridge but ultimately fell short. Matthews was second on the team in goals this season with 10.

Class 5A

Girls — Chamblee 9, Greenbrier 0

Each team entered the 5A championship match wanting its first state championship and Chamblee’s offensive onslaught overwhelmed Greenbrier as the Bulldogs enjoyed a stress-free waltz into the history books. Junior forward Solai Washington scored four goals to lead the Bulldogs. Washington scored with 5:24 left in the first half and then completed the second-half hattrick with goals with 29:52, 9:32 and 7:39 left in the match. Junior Kara Croone (30:30 1st), junior Ansley Harrison (23:57 1st), sophomore Alessandra Washington (14:53 1st) and senior Cameron Pfau (26:28, 18:36 2nd) added goals.

Boys — Dalton 2, Midtown 0

After going scoreless in regulation, two overtime goals from sophomore forward Luis Favela lifted Dalton past Midtown and to the program’s seventh state championship. Dalton won its first championship in 2003 and since 2013, the Catamounts won state championships in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2019 and 2021. Midtown was trying for the team’s first-ever state title after an unprecedented run through the playoff bracket with victories over Kell 3-1, Clarke Central 5-0, McIntosh 2-0 and Centennial 1-0 in the semifinals.

Class 4A

Girls — Westminster 2, North Oconee 1

A pair of goals from two of its seniors in the final match of their storied high school careers lifted Westminster past North Oconee and to the program’s 16th state championship and eighth straight title. Kiera Staude scored with 21:38 left in the first half and Allie Ross pushed the lead with 34:40 left in the match. North Oconee found scoring from junior forward Grace Maddox but could not overcome the deficit. Westminster won its first title in 1996 and then another in 1998. The Wildcats won five-straight titles from 2002-2006 and then captured the 2013 title, two seasons before the ongoing streak began. North Oconee won its first and only state championship in 2021.

Boys — Johnson-Gainesville 4, Westminster 2

Defending-champion Johnson-Gainesville enjoyed an early 2-0 lead and weathered a game-tying run from 14-time champion Westminster to secure the program’s third state title after winning championships in 2018 and last season. Junior forward Edgar Vazquez scored the go-ahead goal with 14:23 left in regulation and senior midfielder Jorge Sandoval notched the final goal as time expired. Vazquez scored with 36:18 left in the first half to put Johnson up 1-0. Sophomore forward Daniel Trujillo extended the lead with a goal at 23:58 for Johnson. Westminster found momentum from a goal from junior midfielder Campbell Henn with 22:20 left in the first half. Early in the second half, Westminster senior defender Noah Cooney scored to tie the match. Westminster won its 14 championships from 1966 to 2019, but have fallen short each season since.

Class 3A

Girls — Oconee County 3, Bremen 1

Oconee County relied on two goals from Kylie Wilson on the way to the program’s first state championship. Bremen took the early lead on a goal from senior midfielder Danilyn Sheats with 37:57 left in the first half. Oconee County senior midfielder Perrin Pennington tied the game with 29:48 left in the match. Wilson, a junior forward, scored her first goal with 28:57 left in the match to give the Warriors at 2-1 lead. She found the goal again with 18:58 left in the match to put Oconee County up 2-1 and secure the victory. Bremen was trying for the team’s first state championship.

Boys — Coahulla Creek 1, Oconee County 0

In a defensive battle where neither team could find a rhythm on offense, Coahulla Creek needed both of the scoreless regulation periods and one overtime period to find offensive production and win the program’s second state championship. A goal from sophomore midfielder/defender Cruz Barcenas with 1:13 left in the first overtime period proved the difference for Coahulla Creek. The Colts previously won the 3A state championship in 2021. Oconee County was trying for the team’s second state title and first since 2019.

Class 2A

Girls — Fellowship Christian 5, Athens Academy 1

Fellowship Christian showed its depth on way to the program’s second state championship and first since 2016 and two goals from freshman forward Kelly Rodman highlighted Fellowship’s offensive attack. After a scoreless first half, the Paladins found scoring from four different players in the 5-1 victory over Athens Academy in the 2A championship match. Junior midfielder Rachel Williamson put Fellowship up 1-0 with 39:26 left in the match. Senior ClaraJane Williams scored with 34:05 left to pull the match even but Fellowship found momentum and kept it. Rodman scored with 29:15 left to give the Paladins the lead, which they would expand, for good. Freshman midfielder Ally Hardin scored with 24:34 left to extend the lead and junior midfielder Avery Paulson scored with 12:29 left to push the lead to 4-1. Rodman scored again with 9:53 left to secure the victory. Athens Academy was trying for the program’s first state championship.

Boys — Tattnall County 3, Providence Christian 2

Two second-half goals from sophomore midfielder Yajir Estrada, including the game-winning score, proved critical after Tattnall County trailed 2-0 early in the second half. The Warriors weathered the Storm and overcame the two-goal deficit to win the program’s first state championship. After a scoreless first half, Providence Christian went up on a goal from senior midfielder August Larson with 38:48 left in regulation. Junior forward Vincent Maraschiello scored with 36:48 left to put the Storm up 2-0. Estrada scored his first goal with 34:31 left in the match to cut into the lead. Senior striker Albert Ovalle tied the game with 23:54 left, gaining momentum for Tattnall County. Estrada’s game-winner came with 14:@8 left in the match, forcing Tattnall’s defense to keep Providence Christian at bay to secure the victory. Providence was trying for the program’s first state championship.

Class A Division I

Girls – Mount Vernon 3, Paideia 1

Two goals from senior Taylor Keller helped lead Mount Vernon to its first-ever state championship in the A Division I championship game at Mercer University in Macon. Paideia junior Eva-Jean Young scored on an assist from Alessia Sacchi with 25:57 left in the first half to take the lead, but the Pythons could manage no more offensive production. Mount Vernon tied the game on a goal from senior Taylor Keller with 13:56 left in the first half. The Mustangs made every second count, scoring with :02 seconds left in the first half on a goal from sophomore Eden Wassersug to take a 2-1 lead. Keller scored again to secure the victory with 1:42 left in the second half. Paideia was trying for the program’s fourth championship after winning in 2000, 2001 and 2013.

Boys – Paideia 1 (5), Atlanta International 1 (4)

Paideia and Atlanta International have been two of the most dominant teams in the lower classes in the past decade, combining for six state championships in that time. Paideia won titles in 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2018 while Atlanta International captured championships in 2015 and last season. And after a 5-4 shootout over defending-champion Atlanta International, the Pythons are champions again. Atlanta International took a 1-0 lead on a goal from Wesley Bruner, assisted by Finn Jacobson, with 32:29 left in the first half. Paideia tied the game on a Sammy Kodish goal with 23:48 left in the first half, which forced overtime.

Class A Division II

Girls – Aquinas 5, Towns County 2 (2OT)

Three goals from senior captain Caroline Jackson proved the difference for Aquinas as it secured the program’s first-ever state championship at McEachern in Powder Springs. Aquinas held a 1-0 halftime lead before outlasting Towns County in two overtime periods. The Fightin’ Irish opened scoring on a penalty kick from Jackson at the 23:48 mark of the first half to take the lead. Towns County senior midfielder Sarah Shook scored with 17:55 left in the second half to tie the match. Junior midfielder Landry Washington’s goal with 4:57 left gave Aquinas a 2-1 lead but Towns County responded with a goal from senior Alana Stowers with 2:44 remaining to tie the match and force overtime. Jackson scored with 5:40 left in the overtime period to give Aquinas the 3-2 lead and Elle Morris scored with 8:50 left in the second overtime period to extend the lead. Jackson’s goal with 1:25 left in the match secured the victory. Towns County was trying for the team’s first-ever title.

Boys – Christian Heritage 2, Georgia Military 1

Two goals from Marco Arostegui helped lead Christian Heritage to the program’s first-ever state title and thwarted two-time champion Georgia Military’s attempt at its third title in four seasons. Tied at one goal each in the second half, Arostegui scored on a header with 7:08 to play to give Christian Heritage the lead for good. Georgia Military went up 1-0 on a goal from Tommy Carty. Christian Heritage tied the game on a goal from Arostegui with 25:27 in the first half. Georgia Military won titles in 2019 and 2021.

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