OAKWOOD — Dawson County boys soccer coach Jed Lacey had a feeling that Tuesday's top-five showdown at West Hall would come down to a handful of key moments.
So when that proved true he was proud to see his players both in the right spots and in the right frame of mind to take advantage, as the fourth-ranked Tigers pulled away for a 3-1 victory over the fifth-ranked Spartans in Oakwood.
"When the big moments came my kids held their heads and stayed calm," Lacey said. "This was soccer the way it was supposed to be played, and our kids left everything on the line."
The game proved a taut, physical battle between two squads desperate not to fall behind in the 7-AAA race -- and, while that provided a few heated moments in what has become a fierce rivalry, the contest was more about Dawson County's opportunism, as the Tigers (8-2-1, 2-0 Region 7-AAA) battled back from 1-0 down in the first half.
"This is one of the best rivalries in the state, and West Hall is a class program," said Lacey, who watched his team score two second half goals to seal the win in a game that included five yellow cards. "I felt like whoever won this game guaranteed themselves at least second place. We've still got some big games to go, including East Hall. But this gives us a great shot for something really big."
In fact it was the Spartans (4-3-1, 2-1) that looked set for something big early. Following a cagey start that saw neither team give ground in a fierce midfield battle West Hall found enough space on the wing to get things going.
Dropping his shoulder, Manny Mata raced up the right side and lofted an arcing cross into the Dawson County penalty area. The high ball caused panic in the Tigers backline and allowed Juan Hernandez to pounce on a rebound and score from close range with 16:05 left in the half for a 1-0 lead.
The score did not change the shape of the game, however, and the two foes continued to slug it out with neither able to build much offensive momentum -- until Nathan Blythe provided a spark.
A foul just inside the West Hall half set up a free kick for Blythe, and the midfielder drove the set piece into the Spartans penalty area -- where a deflection gave West Hall goalkeeper Cesar Villa no chance as it arrowed inside the left post to make it 1-1 with 5:48 left in the half.
The second half saw more of the same, as each team battled to find consistently small space inside the opposing defense. Yet Dawson County began to turn up the pressure midway through the half. Dennis Pyetsukh fired a warning shot at the Spartans defense, heading an Alan Sanchez throw-in inches wide of the West Hall post with 24 minutes to play. Cole Dennis followed that with a 20-yard effort that Villa cradled gratefully.
Yet the Tigers attack persisted and earned its reward with 13:50 left to play.
It was effort and hustle rather than beauty that pushed Dawson County in front -- but few in maroon and gold cared, as Raleigh Payne deflected an attempted Spartans defensive clearance into the West Hall net for a 2-1 lead. The goal came after back-to-back long throw-ins from Sanchez created a melee in front of the Spartans goal.
Needing a response, West Hall began pushing forward and caused some panic of its own. Spartans defender Oscar Bravo forced a fingertip save from Tigers goalkeeper Ty Anglin on a driven, 40-yard free kick. Seconds later Tim Moody came to the rescue, blasting a loose ball clear after a West Hall corner kick.
The Spartans could not maintain the offensive flurry, however, and were punished for pushing forward when Bravo was sent off for a second yellow card, fouling Sanchez with 4:42 to play after the Tigers midfielder sprinted on to a long ball and began bearing down on goal.
The crucial booking robbed West Hall's attack of any budding momentum -- though Dawson County ensured there would be no late sting in the tail, as Patrick Moody made it 3-1 with just 58 seconds remaining. Moody was first to react after Sanchez and Jake Alvarado combined on the left wing to cross for Pyetsukh. Villa denied Pyetsukh's initial shot but the ball rebounded for Moody, who made no mistake and set Dawson County on its way.
"Kids like Alan Sanchez and Dennis Pyetsukh make me look like a genius," Lacey said. "Everybody played well, but with those two guys we feel like we can beat anyone. Really the whole team is playing well. We have eight new starters this year, and it was supposed to be a rebuilding season. But we've played really well, and we have plenty of confidence now."
Dawson County will look to maintain that confidence on Friday against rival Lumpkin County in Dawsonville.
West Hall, meanwhile, will look to bounce back on Thursday at Banks County.
DAWSON COUNTY GIRLS 6,
WEST HALL 0
The Lady Tigers romped to their second Region 7-AAA win, scoring four first half goals in Oakwood.
Rachael Rayjak and Lydia Blythe each scored two goals for second-ranked Dawson County, while Tina Libao and Jessica Chambers also scored one goal apiece.
The Lady Tigers (9-1-1, 2-0 Region 7-AAA) dominated throughout, retaining possession and keeping the Lady Spartans (1-7, 0-3) under pressure.
Dawson County next faces arch-rival and fifth-ranked Lumpkin County in a key showdown on Friday in Dawsonville.
West Hall will look to bounce back on Thursday at Banks County.
