Area soccer teams continue to navigate through difficult schedules and this week several teams will face some crucial matches heading into the Spring Break recess.
Four huge matches will highlight a busy week with three involving a pair of ranked teams that not only will shape the region standings but the state rankings as well.
Perhaps top of the list is Tuesday’s Region 7-4A girls showdown between Class 4A No. 2 Marist (7-2-1, 5-0 Region 7-4A) and No. 5 Flowery Branch (7-2-1, 3-0 Region 7-4A) at Falcons Field.
Both teams are riding four game win streaks. The Lady Falcons' four wins have all been by shutout. They also have tallied 16 goals in that span. The defending Class 4A state champion Lady War Eagles, however, have allowed just one goal during their win streak and have netted 24 goals.
Flowery Branch coach Anel Lilac said it has been a collective effort on the defensive end.
“Collectively we have defended really well from front to back and vice versa,” Lilac said. “Our high press has really limited teams getting forward and creating chances against us. Our back four and goalkeeper(s) have been solid at the back when we have allowed chances.”
With each team meeting just once in region play, the winner will get the all-important tiebreaker. But Marist is coming off a 2-0 win over No. 3 Blessed Trinity and the Lady Falcons still must face the Lady Titans after the break.
Lilac admitted a lot is riding on this one. The winner will have control of its own destiny for the region title.
“Marist has a history of being one of the top programs in the state on the girls side, they are defending state champions and are a very talented side,” Lilac said. “The key will be which team is more disciplined over the 80 minutes and who takes their chances. Obviously, a part of this game, especially when two good teams are competing, is having a little bit of luck. We hope that’s on our side (Tuesday).”
Also on Tuesday, Class 6A No. 5 Gainesville (10-2, 5-2 Region 8-6A) plays host to Dacula (6-5, 5-2 Region 8-6A) in a battle for first place. The Red Elephants, however, dropped the first meeting of the season to the Falcons, 2-1, in Dacula back on March 8.
Gainesville coach Eli Viviant, whose squad is coming off a 3-1 loss to Habersham Central at home last Friday, said it is all right there for the taking.
“Yes, it's a big game for us," Viviant said. "If we win, we will hold destiny in our hands. If we were to lose, we would need several results to go our way to win region. We hold the head-to-head with Habersham and Apalachee so a win by two goals is what we really need. We would have a head to head advantage against the 3 other playoffs bound teams."
Another big showdown, this one on Wednesday, has the Class 3A No. 9 Jefferson boys (9-2, 5-0 Region 8-3A) playing host to No. 10 Morgan County (9-1-1, 5-0 Region 8-3A) at Memorial Stadium. It is the region finale for both teams with the winner claiming the region title and the No. 1 seed in the upcoming state playoffs.
The Bulldogs are 6-0-1 in their last seven matches and have not allowed more than two goals in a game in that span. Jefferson is riding a three-match win streak and has pumped in 15 goals in that span.
On Friday, the defending Class 5A state champion and No. 4-ranked Johnson boys (10-2, 4-0 Region 8-5A) travel to No. 8 Clarke Central (10-1, 3-0 Region 8-5A) with the region title on the line. It’s the region finale for the Knights while the Gladiators still have Cedar Shoals, which is winless in region play, after the break.
Johnson boys coach Brian Shirley said containing the speed of the Gladiators will be a key factor.
“We will have to watch their speed on their counter attack.They have some quick guys up front that can finish the ball well and they are very good at executing their set pieces,” Shirley said. “We will have to play very well and make sure we convert on the chances we will have during the match.”
Shirley also knows that with a tough Class 5A field ahead in the playoffs, grabbing the top spot is critical for any deep run.
“It is very important to have a No. 1 seed going into the tournament because of the opportunity to host at least two home games,’ he said. “That is such an advantage when you don’t have to travel those first two rounds. Class 5A is very deep as far as soccer goes in the caliber of teams in this classification, so the ability to play as many as possible at home is a huge advantage.”
