GAINESVILLE — The Gainesville boys soccer team bagged two early goals en route to a 3-1 win over Pope in the first round of the Class 6A state soccer playoffs in Gainesville.
Pedro Santos and Christian Rodriguez each scored inside the first five minutes for the top-seeded Red Elephants (16-2-2), before Darvin Vazquez added a third before halftime.
Fourth-seeded Pope (13-5-1) clawed back a goal with 3:50 remaining in the contest but it was too late to derail Gainesville.
The Red Elephants move on to face Alexander on Tuesday at City Park in Gainesville.
JOHNSON GIRLS 8,
ROME 1
The third-seeded Lady Knights (11-6-1) knocked off the second-seeded Lady Wolves (9-8-2) on the road in the first round of the Class 5A playoffs to claim their first postseason victory in 14 years.
Johnson's Carla Avalos scored nine minutes into the contest, and the Lady Knights never looked back. Dani Malone netted a hat trick, including two goals in the first half, while Jenna Degroot also scored two in the first half as the Lady Knights built a 5-0 advantage.
Maria Rivera notched two strikes in the second half.
Johnson kept the Lady Wolves off the scoreboard until the final 55 seconds when they broke through on a free kick from 18 yards.
ST. PIUS GIRLS 2,
CHESTATEE 1
The fourth-seeded Lady War Eagles came up short in the first round of the playoffs against the No. 3-ranked Golden Lions in Atlanta.
Kyleigh Drew scored the only goal in the 17th minute off of an assist from Stacey Mendoza.
Chestatee's defense battled throughout against St. Pius, fighting for every loose ball against the Region 8-4A champs.
FIRST ROUND STATE PLAYOFF SOCCER
(Area teams in bold)
RESULTS
BOYS
CLASS 6A
Gainesville 3, Pope 1
Chattahoochee 3, Habersham Central 0
CLASS 5A
Carrollton 3, Flowery Branch 1
Johnson 7, Kell 0
GIRLS
CLASS 6A
Johns Creek 10, Gainesville 0
CLASS 5A
Flowery Branch 8, Kell 2
Buford 3, Cass 0
Johnson 8, Rome 1
CLASS 4A
St. Pius 2, Chestatee 1
CLASS 3A
Dawson County 8, Monroe Area 1
Greater Atlanta Christian 8, East Jackson 0
CLASS 1A
Towns County 5, Christian Heritage 0
SCHEDULE
BOYS
CLASS 4A - Friday
Jefferson (R8, S3) at Chestatee (R7, S2)
West Hall (R7, S4) at North Oconee (R8, S1)
CLASS 3A - Friday
Franklin County (R8, S4) at East Hall (R7, S1)
Dawson County (R7, S3) at Jackson County (R8, S2)
Lumpkin County (R7, S4) at Morgan County (R8, S1)
East Jackson (R8, S3) at GAC (R7, S2)
CLASS 2A - Friday
Rabun County (R8, S2) at Pepperell (R7, S3)
CLASS 1A - Friday
Riverside Military (Area 8, S4) at Darlington (Area 7, S1)
GIRLS
CLASS 4A - Friday
Jefferson (R8, S3) at Marist (R7, S2)
White County (R7, S3) at North Oconee (R8, S2)
CLASS 3A - Friday
North Hall (R7, S4) at Jackson County (R8, S1)
Lumpkin County (R7, S3) at Morgan County (R8, S2)
CLASS 2A - Friday
Rabun County (R8, S3) at Dade County (R7, S2)
CLASS 1A - Friday
Lakeview Academy (A8, S4) at Darlington (A7, S1)
SECOND ROUND STATE PLAYOFF SOCCER SCHEDULE
(As of Wednesday)
BOYS -- May 2
CLASS 6A
Alexander at Gainesville
CLASS 5A
Riverwood at Johnson
CLASS 5A
Riverwood at Flowery Branch
Buford at Decatur
Johnson at Chamblee
