Dunwoody’s Sarah Holland (5) left the Etowah goalie on the ground with a great move to the goal, but another defender thwarted her effort to score on the play in regulation. (Photo by Mark Brock)
Dunwoody’s Julia Gild headed a corner kick into the goal with 3:10 left in the first 10-minute overtime to propel the No. 4 ranked Dunwoody Lady Wildcats to a 1-0 victory over Etowah in the first round of the Class 7A girls’ state playoffs on Tuesday at North DeKalb Stadium.
The two teams battled to a 0-0 tie in regulation as Dunwoody goalie Ella Holland fought off a late flurry of shots by Etowah during the final 7:30 of regulation.
Holland had eight saves in the second half including five over that final 7:30 to stave off Etowah and send the game into overtime.
As the teams headed into the first of two 10-minute overtime periods tied 0-0 Dunwoody got an opportunity late as they set up for a corner kick. Ella Ryan lofted a perfect pass in front of the goal on the ick where Gild rose above the defenders and headed the ball into the goal for what would be the game winner.
It was Gild’s 20th goal of the season for the Lady Wildcats (15-3). Etowah finished the season 7-7.
Holland made another save late in the second part of the overtime to seal the win for Dunwoody.
Dunwoody moves into the Sweet 16 to face Hillgrove, a 2-0 winner on the road at Camden County, on Monday with the time and place to be named.
7A BOYS PLAY: Dunwoody 1, Milton 0
The Dunwoody Wildcats made it a twofer for Dunwoody soccer teams on Tuesday night with a 1-0 road win over Milton to advance to the boys’ Sweet 16 next week.
Dunwoody and Milton battled to a 0-0 tie for the first 75 minutes of the game when the Wildcats struck for the game winner.
Jonathan Matul executed a thrilling bicycle kick to put the Wildcats (15-4-1) up 1-0 with five minutes to play. Dunwoody would hold on for the 1-0 shutout victory over the Eagles (10-7-1).
The Wildcats will face the winner of the Harrison/Lowndes winner next week in the Sweet 16.
Other Girls Playoff Action
Two DeKalb girls’ teams had their seasons ended on Tuesday night with identical 10-0 road losses.
Cedar Grove’s historic 10-win season ended as their first-ever playoff game was a 10-0 loss on the road at Cherokee Bluff. Cedar Grove finished 10-7 on the year.
Clarkston’s return to the state playoff seen also ended in the first round with a 10-0 loss to No. 2 ranked Blessed Trinity (17-1-1). Clarkston finishes with a 12-5 mark on the season.
DCSD SOCCER STATE PLAYOFFS SCHEDULE
FIRST ROUND
Tuesday, April 12
NORTH DEKALB STADIUM
CLASS 7A GIRLS
Dunwoody (15-3) 1, Etowah (7-7) 0 OT
Chamblee (17-1-1) 10, Woodland, Cartersville (6-10-2) 0
AWAY GAMES
CLASS 5A GIRLS
Blessed Trinity (17-1-1) 10, Clarkston (12-5) 0
CLASS 3A GIRLS
Cherokee Bluff (16-3) 10, Cedar Grove (10-7) 0
CLASS 7A BOYS
Dunwoody (15-4-1) 1, Milton (10-6-1) 0
Wednesday, April 13
AWAY GAMES
CLASS 5A BOYS
Cross Keys (10-8) at Cartersville (8-8-1), 6:30 pm
Thursday, April 14
ADAMS STADIUM
CLASS 6A GIRLS
South Effingham (11-5) vs. Lakeside (12-3), 6:00 pm
Madison Co. (8-6) vs. Druid Hills (4-9-1), 8:00 pm
AWAY GAMES
CLASS 6A GIRLS
Tucker (9-8) at Glynn Academy (13-2), 5:30 pm
CLASS 4A GIRLS
Arabia Mountain (3-8-2) at North Oconee (18-1), TBA
Friday, April 15
ADAMS STADIUM
CLASS 6A BOYS
Brunswick (11-7) at Lakeside (15-0-1), 6:00 pm
East Hall (9-8-1) at Druid Hills (8-9), 8:00 pm
AWAY GAMES
CLASS 2A BOYS
Towers (5-5-1) at Rabun (7-5), 5:00 pm
CLASS 4A BOYS
Stephenson (6-6-1) at Jefferson (10-5-2), TBA
CLASS 6A BOYS
Tucker (8-7-3) at Statesboro (9-8), 6:00 pm