Prep Soccer: Northgate, ECHS rout opponents in sweeps
by Staff Reports
From STAFF REPORTSsports@newnan.com
Soccer opponents had no answer for lineups from East Coweta and Northgate after being outscored by a combined margin of 27-0 during a pair of doubleheaders on Tuesday.
On a night where the rest of the Area 4-AAAAA standings were rattled, the Northgate’s girls were off the field in less time than the average television show in a 10-0 non-region win over Drew. The Vikings capped off the doubleheader sweep with a 2-0 win.
The Lady Indians won 5-0 before the ECHS’s No. 3-ranked boys lineup throttled the Lions 10-0 by way of the mercy rule.
Northgate’s girls also wrapped up a victory in a hurry at Henry Seldon Field against Drew.
Lily Barron had three goals and Amanda Lee added a pair in a Lady Vikings victory that took 26 minutes before the mercy rule kicked in. Micayla Crenshaw, Taylor Deloach, Taylor Hendrix and Cara Rhoad also scored before Hayli Verbanic ended it with a final tally.
Northgate’s girls now turn their attention back to 4-AAAAA play on Friday needing a big victory to stay in contention for a potential state playoff berth. The Lady Vikings, now 5-2 overall, will host No. 4-ranked Union Grove at Henry Seldon Field with a chance to improve their 4-2 area record.
The team is coming off a hard-fought 1-0 loss to No. 2 Whitewater last Friday while among five schools — four of whom are ranked — battling for four spots in the Class AAAAA state playoffs. Fifth-ranked Starr’s Mill defeated Union Grove 3-0 on Tuesday.
“It is what it is,” said Northgate coach Bryan Hicks. “If we beat Union Grove we could end up third. If we lose, we’ll could finish fourth or be out.”
Whitewater’s girls caused a reshuffling of the area standings on Tuesday when they knocked off Fayette County rival and top-ranked McIntosh 4-0 to take sole possession of first place in 4-AAAAA. The Lady Wildcats moved to 6-0 while the Lady Chiefs — last year’s Class AAAA state champions — dropped to 5-1 in the area standings.
A busy pre-Spring Break schedule will also include next week’s Coweta Cup, hosted by East Coweta at Garland Shoemake Stadium.
Recapping Tuesday’s soccer action:
Girls
East Coweta 5, Westlake 0: The Lady Indians improved their Area 3-AAAAAA record to 3-0 while tied atop the standings heading into next week’s showdown with Newnan.
Anna Lauzon netted a pair of goals and Ren Waters finished with a goal and an assist to pace the victory.
Nicole Brandley and Katie Sutherland also scored for East Coweta, now 5-2 overall. Morgan Haase and Tara Frederico had assists while heading into Monday’s Coweta Cup showdown with Newnanw at home.
Boys
Northgate 2, Drew 0: Diego Maillo scored for Northgate and Jamie Skalski’s penalty kick helped give the Vikings some breathing room in the victory while improving to 4-3 overall.
East Coweta 10, Westlake 0: Ian Antley led a road victory with four goals and an assist, as six Indians dented the net to stay undefeated both overall (8-0) and the area schedule (3-0). With Newnan’s loss on Tuesday at home against Douglas County (see related story), East Coweta grabs sole possession of first place in 3-AAAAAA.
Zac Slaton added a pair of goals and an assist while Ryan Wright finished with a goal and three assists in the victory.
Justin Sharp, Terrance Lewis, Ryan Wright and Chandler Costlow also scored for the Indians while Diego Velazquez, Sharp, Lewis and Max Belyaev added assists in the win.
