FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — Keita Kikuchi's goal with three minutes to go turned out to be the game-winner as the Flowery Branch boys beat Cambridge 2-1 at Falcon Field on Tuesday.
The win advances the Falcons to the quarterfinals of the Class 5A playoffs. Because of the coin toss that determines the home team when like seeds meet, the Falcons will travel to Region 2 champion Union Grove next week.
On Tuesday, the Falcons fended off the Bears, whole possessed the ball a good bit in the first half, but the game remained scoreless until 12 minutes to go in the second half. Cambridge scored their lone goal to go up 1-0.
Flowery Branch responded four minutes later when Tyler Galasso punched in a goal with eight minutes remaining.
"We were very organized defensively and allowed ourselves to grow into the game," Branch coach Billy Johnson said. "We started creating a lot more chances in the second half and had the better share of the chances."
Meanwhile, in Class 3A, the West Hall boys fell 2-0 to No. 1 seed Coahulla Creek on the road. The loss eliminates the Spartans, who made the Final Four last season, from the Class 3A state tournament.
