Six soccer champions crowned at McEachern, Duluth and Mercer in Macon

At McEachern

Class 6A

Girls: Walton 4, Buford 2 (PKs)

After a scoreless regulation period and overtime allowance, Walton secured the programs second state championship and first since winning the Open Event title in 1993. Buford was trying for the programs first-ever championship.

Waltons Graycen Ehlen was named the Wendys Most Valuable Player during the teams second championship victory.

Boys: Campbell 1, Grayson 0

Campbells first-ever title was fueled by a goal from Gavin Banks with 14:08 left in the second half. The Spartans capped a 14-6-1 season while denying Grayson its second title after a tie with Richmond Academy in 2004s Class 3A bracket.

Grayson finished the season 21-2, its other loss coming against Archer in a 2-0 defeat on March 11. Campbell beat Heritage-Conyers 3-2, Lambert 2-1, Discovery 5-0 and Duluth 3-1 in the semifinals. Grayson earned its title berth with victories against Hillgrove 1-0, Meadowcreek 7-1, Dacula 2-1 and Mill Creek 4-1 in the semifinals.

At Duluth

Class 4A

Girls: Blessed Trinity 1, Marist 0

A goal from Julie Melhuish with 12:48 left in the match helped Blessed Trinity to the programs seventh championship, while denying Marist its 13th championship and title defense.

Melhuish was named the Wendys Most Valuable Player for helping the Titans to the programs seventh title. Blessed Trinity previously won championships in 2004, 2006 (tie), 2007, 2008, 2011 and 2021.

Marist entered the state championship match as the Class 6A defending champions before reclassification moved the War Eagles to Class 4A. The War Eagles have won five championships in the past decade.

Boys: Westminster 3, Marist 2 (PKs)

It takes much depth, consistency and a top-class winning culture to secure a state championship and after a 3-2 victory in penalty kicks against rival Marist, Westminster won the programs 16th state championship while defending last years title.

The teams ended regulation and both overtime periods tied at 0-0, forcing the deciding shootout. Both teams made the first penalty kick and Westminster took a 1-0 lead on the second shots, following a miss by Marist. On the third round, both teams scored, giving Westminster a 2-1 lead. Both teams missed the fourth attempt and a save on Marists fifth try secured the victory.

Marist had previously won titles in 2006 and 2009 while Westminster won championships in 1966, 1967, 1976, 1982. 1983, 2001, 2006, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2018, 2019 and last season.

At Mercer University in Macon

Class A-Division II

Girls: Atlanta Classical 2, Lake Oconee Academy 1

Two goals from Leighton Maynard within 1:30 of each in the second half proved too much for Lake Oconee Academy. Victoria Goubran scored at the 25:28 mark of the second half to cut into the deficit but the match was out of reach.

Maynard was named the Wendys Most Valuable Player for her efforts in bringing Atlanta Classical its second championship after winning the Class A-Public title in 2021. Lake Oconee Academy was trying to win its first-ever title.

Boys: Lake Oconee Academy 3, Atkinson County 1 (OT)

Leonardo Inostrosa scored the equalizing goal in regulation, forcing the overtime period. He added the go-ahead goal at 4:58 in overtime which set up Palmer Larkins game-winner with 7:15 left in the second overtime.

Entering the championship, neither Lake Oconee Academy nor Atkinson County had ever won a championship. Alex Vega scored with 5:53 left in the first half to give Atkinson County the 1-0 lead before Inostrosas heroics.