Northeast Georgia soccer came within a whisker of going a perfect 6 for 6 in the state quarterfinals.
As it stands, five area teams stormed their way into Tuesday's state semifinals, as the East Hall and Gainesville boys each won in their respective classifications on Saturday to join the Buford, Flowery Branch and Jefferson girls amongst the "Final Four" after the girls trio prevailed in Friday's quarterfinals.
(NOTE: Look below for a complete round-up of state quarterfinal scoers for area teams, as well as a state semifinal schedule.)
The only sour note on the weekend came in Carrollton, where the Buford boys battled through regulation and overtime only to fall in the lottery that is a penalty kick shootout. The two teams battled to a scoreless draw through 90 minutes but the host Trojans prevailed 6-5 in spot kicks to end the Wolves second straight state quarterfinal run.
Elsewhere on Saturday there were two decisive victories, as the third-ranked Gainesville boys charged past fifth-ranked Centennial 3-1 at City Park to reach the semifinals for the first time since finishing as state runner-up in 2012. The Red Elephants will play host to No. 1 Dalton in Tuesday's Class AAAAAA semifinals.
In Class AAA, third-ranked East Hall cruised to the fourth round, hammering Tatnall 6-0 in Rabbittown. The Vikings are in their second straight semifinals and will play host to Pace Academy on Tuesday after winning a coin flip to decide home-field advantage.
All of Tuesday's winners will qualify for the state championships, to be held May 12-13, sply between McEachern High in Powder Springs and Mercer University in Macon.
STATE PLAYOFF SOCCER QUARTERFINALS
SATURDAY'S RESULTS
Class AAAAAA
Gainesville boys 3, Centennial 1
Class AAAAA
Carrollton 0, Buford 0 (Carrollton advances 6-5 on penalties)
Class AAA
East Hall boys 6, Tatnall County 0
FRIDAY'S RESULTS
Class AAAAA
Buford girls 3, Veterans 1
Flowery Branch girls 1, Starr's Mill 1 (Branch advances 6-5 on penalties)
Class AAAA
Jefferson girls 0, LaGrange 0 (Jefferson advances 3-2 on penalties
STATE SEMIFINAL SCHEDULE
TUESDAY
Class AAAAAA
Dalton at Gainesville boys, 6:30 p.m.
Class AAAAA
Whitewater at Buford girls, 6:30 p.m.
McIntosh at Flowery Branch girls, 5:30 p.m.
Class AAAA
Jefferson girls at Marist, 6:30 p.m.
Class AAA
Pace Academy at East Hall boys, 7 p.m.
