ATLANTA — Johnson avenged a late-season loss to No. 1 Woodward Academy when it really counted on Friday in the semifinals of the Class 5A playoffs.
The Knights lost to Woodward in March, 4-3, but on this night, they weren't going to be denied the opportunity to play for another state championship in a 6-5 win on the road.
But it didn't come easy.
Woodward scored first on a breakaway to take an early 1-0 lead.
The Knights rallied back when Andres Galicia found Jorge Sandoval over the top to blast it past the goalkeeper and the tie, 1-1.
Later on, Johnson snatched the lead on Sandoval Galicia hook up once again. Sandoval took the pass from a throw-in from Galicia and beat the Woodward defenders for the score.
Ramon Aguilar upped the Knights' lead on a penalty kick, 3-1, but Woodward would strike again before the half to close the gap, 3-2.
In the second half, Woodward quickly tied the game, 3-3, on a cross into the box. However, the Knight didn't back down with a Aguilar and Jalil Chavez goal to go up, 5-3. Minutes later, Aguilar scored again on a perfect ball from Sandoval to go up, 6-3.
Woodward stormed back scoring on a breakaway and a free-kick late in the game.
Johnson will play St. Pius X at McEachern for the Class 5A state title on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
