Piedmont Soccer Teams Wins Opening Round of State

Both Piedmont Academy varsity soccer teams took their first step toward a possible state championship Tuesday with wins in the opening round of the playoffs.

The Lady Cougars defeated Valwood 5-1 while the boys eliminated Brookwood 3-2 in overtime. Both Piedmont teams hosted the first-round of the GISA Class AA state playoffs.

The boys were tied 1-1 at halftime. Hunter Clark scored the team’s first goal on an assist from Nick Adamczyk.

“We had so many opportunities to score, but we couldn’t finish,” said coach Dwain Landress. “When you are playing a team you should beat and you let them stay in the game, then they start believing they can win.”

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Adamczyk put the Cougars up 2-1 in the second half, but Brookwood, who made the long trek from Thomasville, managed to even the score and eventually the match went into overtime.

Clark made the lone score of the 10-minute overtime period with approximately two minutes remaining and Piedmont’s defense then held to advance.

“The officials weren’t making calls for either team,” Landress said. “We thought when we went up 2-1 the flood gates would open. It was one of those matches where we were dominating play, but Brookwood had a couple of fast forwards who made it tough.”

Landress said senior Bobby Mitchell had a strong defensive game for the Cougars. In addition, fellow seniors Samuel McGinnis, Jeremy Wood and Davis Kimball each played their best games of the season, according to their coach.

“Those three also helped solidify our defense,” Landress said.

The Piedmont boys are tentatively scheduled to play again Saturday, May 5 against Frederica Academy in St. Simons.

The Lady Cougars built a 2-1 advantage at halftime on goals by Lanie King and Heather Tyler. Both players had assists on their first-half, non-scoring goals.

“We made the match more interesting than it should have been,” Landress said. “The game was never in doubt and we played solid overall. Valwood didn’t have that many chances on goal.”

Wanting to use the match to get every team member a chance to compete in the state playoffs, Landress said his squad’s play was “sloppy” at times.

“We could have been up 6-1 or 7-1 by halftime,” the coach said.

Lynne Marie Edwards, a sophomore, scored the team’s third goal followed by a score by Jordan Blackmon. Lucy Strickland set up Tyler for the final goal of the contest.

Carley Cain was strong in goal once again, Landress said.

“When she was challenged, she played smart and aggressive,” he said. “When she’s playing that way, our confidence is good.”

The Lady Cougars will now face an old nemesis in the second round when they travel to Heritage in Newnan Tuesday for a match scheduled for 6 p.m.

“If we can find a way to get by that one, I think we have a chance to go a long way.”