Underrated soccer teams in the Class 1A-3A Private playoffs

The 2025 girls soccer playoffs are here, and for the first time since the end of the 2019–2020 season, the GHSA will be using a ranking formula to seed teams. This creates some intrigue around seeding, with some teams appearing overrated and others underrated. Several teams this season have received much lower playoff rankings than expected.

Lovett is the top-ranked team in the class in many polls but is only the fifth seed in the official bracket.

Lovett has played an extremely tough schedule, facing nine currently ranked teams. The Lions’ three losses came against some of the best programs in the state including Class 6A No. 2 Buford, Class 5A No. 2 Cambridge, and Class 5A No. 3 Marist, all considered quality losses. Those other six games were wins, including dominant victories over Class 4A No. 10 Midtown, Class 2A No. 9 KIPP Atlanta, Class 1A-3A Private No. 3 GAC, Class 1A-3A Private No. 10 Whitefield Academy, Class 1A-3A Private No. 5 Holy Innocents’, and Class 4A No. 10 Pace Academy. These results show that Lovett is an elite team capable of making a serious run at a state title.

Another underrated team is Holy Innocents’.

The Golden Bears are 14-3 and finished second in their region only because of the previously mentioned Lovett. Three of their last four games ended in dominant wins, with a combined score of 36-0. Their only loss in that stretch was a 4–1 defeat to Lovett. Their other two losses were against Class 1A-3A Private No. 4 Fellowship Christian and Class 4A No. 10 Pace Academy, again, both quality opponents. Despite their strong record and strength of schedule, Holy Innocents’ enters the playoffs as a No. 9 seed, though they arguably deserve a top-five or top-six spot.

Defending Class A Division I champions Paideia are another team flying under the radar.

The Pythons finished the regular season 9-4. While that record may not seem impressive at first glance, a closer look reveals the true strength of the team. All four of Paideia’s losses came against high-end opponents. None of the teams they lost to won fewer than 10 games, and all had three or fewer losses on the season. Their “worst” loss came to 10-3 Whitefield Academy. They also dropped two games to 12-3 Fellowship Christian and one to 14-1 Lakeside-DeKalb. On the flip side, Paideia earned key wins over strong programs like Midtown and Walker. Despite their record, they remain a dangerous contender in the bracket.