LaGrange gives reigning state champions all they can handle, falls in 4A state quarterfinals – LaGrange Daily News

What was arguably the best season in LaGrange girls soccer history reached its heartbreaking conclusion Monday night with a 5-1 loss to Westminster in the GHSA 4A state quarterfinals. Lagrange has never reached the state semifinals before and has pushed reigning state champion Westminster to their limits. The match was a close one until the final 15 minutes of the match when the Grangers threw caution to the wind in search of an equalizer.

The first half was evenly contested, but it might not have been as exciting if Emma Maradik hadn’t sat low and made a huge save just a minute into the match to prevent LaGrange’s confidence from being shaken.

From there, LaGrange bunkered in and fended off wave after wave of attack from the Wildcats.

Westminster possessed most of the ball in the first half but struggled to break the LaGrange midfield and backline.

This was due in large part to senior Sam Cottle moving to defensive midfield in place of regular starter Demi Russell. Cottle was fantastic at breaking up play and frustrating the Wildcats.

The Grangers played on the counter and almost took an early lead when Karley Perry’s shot trickled just wide of the target in what would have been the away side’s best chance of the first half.

Westminster finally broke through with just seven minutes left in the first half.

Despite a late goal, the team did not let down when half time struck.

The Wildcats came out of the break swarming and quickly doubled their lead with a thunderous strike from inside the box that Maradik could just get her fingers to but couldn’t keep it out of the net.

LaGrange continued to weather the storm and look for a breakthrough on the other side of the field. With opportunities limited, Georgia State’s Karley Perry cut into the left side of the Wildcat defense and buried a chance to pull LaGrange within just one goal with 30 minutes remaining. The Grangers huffed and puffed, but couldn’t find an equalizer. With just 16 minutes left in the match, Perry again cut into the left side of the defense and made a beautiful pass back, but Amelia Rockwell couldn’t get under the ball and missed the goal.

A minute later, the Wildcats scored their third goal of the match to take control.

LaGrange continued to put forward numbers and Cottle had a header brilliantly saved and a close-range shot parried wide.

Westminster later added a few more consolation goals to flatter the scoreline for the home crowd.

LaGrange was outmatched by the private powerhouse as the Wildcats had enough players on the bench to field two additional teams, while the Grangers had just four substitutes.

The Grangers will have to say goodbye to what is arguably the most talented graduating class in program history. Cottle, Perry and Carlee Roland will all play college football, with Perry becoming the first player in program history to earn Division I football. The team also loses starting center back Morgan Fausett and backup goalkeeper Jade DeLeon.

The program has made back-to-back state quarterfinals for the first time in program history. The team will try to have a more level playing field next season as they drop down to the 3A classification.