FLOWERY BRANCH — It's no surprise the No. 4-ranked Cherokee Bluff girls soccer team is headed to the second round of the Class 3A playoffs.
And this one on the back of a hand full of freshmen.
Kaitlin Cook, a freshman, scored the hat trick to lead the Lady Bears (11-3-1 Region 7-3A No. 2 seed) to a 6-0 win over Lakeview Fort-Oglethorpe on Tuesday at home in the first round of the Class 3A playoffs. She has 27 goals on the season.
"Cook heads up a very dynamic offensive group," Bluff coach Calvin Cook said. "Tallying 27 goals so far this season, so she is definitely the point of focus for the opposing team's defense."
Cook nailed two of her three goals in the first half and booted the third in the second half. She also added an assist. Freshman Anna Gessner finished with two scores, and Freshman Eva Martin had a goal and assist. Freshman Carson Demars also assisted on three scores.
The Lady Bears are set to play at No. 1 Westminster on Monday.
"The team as a whole is playing well in all phases," Cook said. "The offense has been clicking all year and we have been able to tighten up our defensive line as of late. Another shut-out for goalkeeper Avery Fowler, who has been solid all year for us. Together as a unit, this Bears team is young, talented, and looking forward to what is to come."
PLAYOFF SOCCER SCOREBOARD, Tuesday, April 20
CLASS 5A
Chamblee girls 5 (R5, S2), Jackson County 4 (R8, S3) OT
CLASS 3A
Lumpkin County girls 10 (R7, S1), Coahulla Creek 0 (R6, S4)
Westminster girls 10 (R5, S1), East Jackson 0 (R8, S4)
Cherokee Bluff girls 6 (R7, S2), Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe 0 (R6, S3)
North Hall girls 2 (R7, S4), Adairsville 0 (R6, S1)
White County girls 8 (R7, S3), Ringgold 0 (R6, S2)
CLASS A PUBLIC
Towns County girls (R8, S4) 3, Chattahoochee County 0
