As the second round of the 2024 Georgia High School Association Girls Soccer Playoffs takes place on Tuesday and Thursday, one thing is certain. That means Region 8-6A and Region 7-3A have both established themselves as strong contenders.
At 8-6, Habersham Central, Jackson County and Gainesville all advanced to the second round. Lumpkin County (No. 5) at 7-3 and Dawson County (No. 7) at 7-3A join No. 1 Wesleyan in the Sweet 16. White County lost a narrow 1-0 decision to Bremen and was eliminated. Clean sweep out with 7-3A.
Perhaps the highlight of the second round in Class 3A will be Lumpkin County (11-1-1) heading to No. 2 Oconee County (13-1-5).
Only two of the Lady Indians' 13 opponents scored, but they allowed eight points in an 8-0 loss to Wesleyan. Dawson County was the only one to find the back of the net in a 2-1 win as Lumpkin's defense posted its 11th shutout of the season. Oconee County is averaging just 3.1 goals per game, while the Lady Warriors have scored just seven goals in their past 13 games.
Dawson County (12-4) will face Stevens County (7-9), with all four losses coming to playoff teams. Of the 26 goals allowed by the Lady Tigers, 20 came in that loss. Stephens County won three straight games, but finished the regular season with a record of 3 wins and 7 losses.
In Region 8-6A, all three will play in a top-six matchup on Thursday. Regional champion Habersham Central (14-2-1) is tied for third in Class 6A for the most wins and currently has the longest winning streak in the class at 10 straight wins. However, the unranked Lady Raiders will face No. 3 Roswell (13-3-1).
Jackson County (13-5-1) will play No. 2 Pope (12-2-1), while No. 3 Gainesville (13-6) will face No. 6 but No. 4 Johns. to play against. Creek (11-6) of Region 7-6A swept Region 6 in the first round.
Last week's 1-0 win over South Paulding was the Lady Red Elephants' first playoff win since 2016. They are in the playoffs for the first time since his 2018.
Coach Assulin Waldstadt said he understands the challenges ahead, but also knows the tough schedule has helped them get this far.
“We've played some quality opponents in the region, so we feel like we're ready for the postseason,” Boldstadt said. “We look forward to playing against the talented Johns Creek team.”
The key for Gainesville is defense. In his six losses, he has conceded 15 of his 22 total goals. In his 13 wins, he has a total of seven runs allowed and eight shutouts. However, they have only 5 wins and 4 losses at City Park Stadium this season.
No. 1-ranked Buford (7A) and Jefferson (5A) will play at home on Tuesday.
In Class 4A, No. 5 Cherokee Bluff (15-4) will face No. 10 Southeast Whitfield (11-3-1) at Yona Field.
(See below for the full schedule for the second round of the playoffs on Tuesday and Thursday.)
GHSA Soccer Playoffs Round 2, Tuesday, April 23rd
girl
class 7A
Milton (R6, S3) at Buford (R8, S1), 6:30 p.m.
Class 5A
Chattahoochee (R6, S2) at Jefferson (R8, S1), 6:30 p.m.
class 3A
Lumpkin County (R7, S2), Oconee County (R8, S1), 6 p.m.
Dawson County (R7, S3), Stevens County (R8, S2), 6 p.m.
Class A Division 1
Atlanta International (R6, S4), Rabun County (R8, S2), 6 p.m.
Class A Division 2
Towns County (R8, S3), Christian Heritage (R4, S2), TBA
Soccer Playoffs Round 2, Thursday, April 25th
girl
Class 6A
Johns Creek (R7, S4) vs. Gainesville (R8, S3), 6 p.m.
Jackson County (R8, S2) vs. Pope (R7, S1), 6 p.m.
Roswell (R7, S2), Habersham Central (R8, S1), 6pm on the 3rd
Class 4A
Southeast Whitfield, Cherokee Bluff (R8, S1), 6 p.m.
class 2A
East Jackson (R8, S3) Mount Paran (R6, S1), 6 p.m.
Women's 1st round score
class 7A
Buford 9, Wheeler 0
Class 6A
Gainesville 1, South Paulding 0
Jackson County 2, Newnan 0
Habersham Central 10, Paulding County 0
Class 5A
Jefferson 7, Tri-Cities 0
Class 4A
Cherokee Bluff 10, Hampton 0
Pace Academy 2, Johnson 1
class 3A
Lumpkin County 9, Coahula Creek 0
Dawson County 4, Adairsville 2
Bremen 1, White County 0
class 2A
East Jackson 6, Callaway 0
Class A Division 1
Oglethorpe County 6, Commerce 1
Rabun County 5, Jasper County 4
Class A Division 2
Towns County 2, Tortlen 0