JEFFERSON — The Jefferson boys pulled within one-half game of first place in Region 8-4A after taking a 2-0 win over North Oconee on Friday at Memorial Stadium.
Class 4A sixth-ranked Jefferson (8-2-1, 4-1 Region 8-4A) sits behind first place and fifth-ranked East Hall (9-1-1, 4-0 Region 8-4A) and No. 2 Flowery Branch (11-0-1, 3-0 Region 8-4A) in the standings. The Dragons' only region loss was a 1-0 nail-biter to East Hall. They play host to Flowery Branch on Monday.
It was tough defensive battle against North Oconee (4-4-1, 2-2 Region 8-4A) deep into the second half as neither offense was able to breakthrough despite several chances.
The Dragons' Cort McCormack broke the scoreless tie in the 63rd minute redirecting a header off a well-placed corner kick from Zander Patterson for a 1-0 lead. The Jefferson defense then was able to deny two good scoring chances by the Titans before Kupa Katompa scored on a free kick in the 77th minute to put the game away.
NORTH OCONEE GIRLS 6,
JEFFERSON 1
In a battle of for first place in Region 8-4A, the No. 2-ranked Lady Titans proved too much for the third-ranked Lady Dragons.
The Lady Titans (9-0-2 5-0 Region 8-4A) clinched the region title with the win as they now hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over both Jefferson and Flowery Branch.
Jefferson (9-1-0, 4-1 Region 8-4A) also saw its nine-match win streak snapped. North Oconee extended its win streak to seven straight with the victory.
The Lady Dragons next will play host to No. 4 Flowery Branch (8-3-1, 3-1 Region 8-4A) on Monday in a match that could decide second place. A Jefferson win would wrap up a home playoff spot while the Lady Falcons need a win over the Lady Dragons and a win over East Hall next week to clinch.
Molly Parker scored Jefferson's only goal of the game.
