FLOWERY BRANCH — The Flowery Branch girls soccer team knew the playoff bracket would toughen up at some point.
That point arrived on Friday, and yet an unfazed Lady Falcons team put its head down and battled past Union Grove, scoring twice at the end of the first half to spark a 3-1 victory at Flowery Branch.
It took some time to find their scoring touch, but Caroline Wysocki, McKenize Kent and Larsyn Reid each bagged goals to pushed the Lady Falcons back into the Class 5A semifinals for a second straight season -- where they will travel to McIntosh on Tuesday.
"We missed some chances, and playing Tuesday and then again Friday it's hard to expect the same performance," Branch coach Anel Lilic said. "(Union Grove) defended well, and their goalkeeper had a good game. They were also dangerous on the counter, but we controlled most of the game. It was a little frustrating early on, but we kept at it."
After pouncing for early strikes in each of their first two playoff contests -- games the Branch won a combined 13-4 -- the Lady Falcons (21-0) opened the quarterfinals determined to do so again -- piling forward against a Lady Wolverines that struggled to match the Branch's pace in attack.
Yet Union Grove -- led by goalkeeper Emelie Taylor -- proved dogged in defense, snuffing out a number of the early attacks, while the normally-clinical Branch also squandered some opportunities, including in the fourth minute when Reid broke through for a one-on-one only to see her point-blank shot deflected by Taylor and then cleared by Union Grove's Jenna Kirkland. Reid also misfired after a long cross from Madi Shewbert, and Kent blasted the follow-up volley over with eight minutes gone. Taylor also denied a 16-yard effort from Wysocki, getting down quickly and using a strong wrist to keep the contest scoreless with 28 minutes remaining in the half.
Union Grove's efforts in defense began to spread into attack midway through the half, and Branch keeper Hannah Pimentel produced her own highlight-reel save with 25 minutes remaining, smothering Grace Phillips' attempt after Faith Phillips played the striker clean through on goal.
The two teams began trading close calls as the half waned, Wysocki volleying over from a Shewbert cross and Faith Phllips doing the same after running on to a clearance from teammate Catey Hunt.
But Wysocki was not to be denied, and the Lady Falcons' speed paid off, as Reid poked a through ball into the penalty area for Wysocki. The junior outran a defender and then side-footed a 12-yard effort into the far post to provide a much-needed breakthrough and 1-0 lead with 8:29 left in the half.
"We've got a younger team, and the bigger stage may have made them a little nervous to start, but once we scored it got us going," Lilic said.
It took less than two minutes to double the Branch's advantage.
This time Shewbert was the catalyst, breaking down the right wing and pinging a cross-turned-shot that rebounded right into the path of Kent. The freshman made no mistake, slamming an 18-yard shot into the goal for a 2-0 lead.
The Lady Wolverines were not about to go quietly, however, and Faith Phillips continued to keep the Lady Falcons defense on its toes, blasting a 16-yard volley just wide only 5 minutes before halftime. The Union Grove standout kept it up in the second half as well but also failed to find the target when she blasted an 18-yard effort wide midway through the half.
The Lady Falcons made the most of the miss, pushing ahead 3-0 just minutes later, as Reid pounced on a deflected Shewbert shot, the junior angling her effort to the back post following a corner kick only to watch her teammate slam it into the net with 16:30 remaining.
Union Grove kept battling, however, and Phillips finally earned her reward with 12:40 remaining, rifling a 15-yard shot past Pimentel to pull the Lady Wolverines within 3-1. And Phillips so nearly created a second strike for the visitors with 7 minutes remaining, bursting down the left flank before centering for teammate Morgan Oliver. But Oliver could only blast her 12-yard effort off the upright, sparing a white-knuckle finish.
Taylor also came up big late, diving to deny a penalty kick from Reid with 1:30 remaining. By then, however, the Branch was already looking toward a return to the Final Four.
"They're excited; I'm super proud of them. They're a pleasure to coach, and I couldn't dream of a better first season," said Lilic, who expects their toughest postseason match by far at McIntosh.
"They're defending state champs; they've won 11 state titles overall. They'll be able to play us straight up for sure. But we're not going to change how we play. And I think we'll get better."
