Chamblee’s Cami Maynor sends a free kick up the field during the Lady Bulldogs 3-0 Class 5A state playoff semifinal win over Midtown on Thursday. (Photo by Mark Brock)
The No. 1 ranked Chamblee Lady Bulldogs dominated time of possession, number of shots taken and mostly importantly 3-0 on the scoreboard in a Class 5A girls’ state soccer playoffs semifinal match against No. 2 ranked Midtown on a rainy night at North DeKalb Stadium on Thursday.
It was a much-anticipated matchup between the top two ranked teams in Class 5A with the Lady Bulldogs (20-0-1) being relentless throughout the game before breaking through for three second half goals to secure a second consecutive trip to the state finals.
The match was scoreless at the half despite Chamblee controlling the ball in the offensive end most of the half while putting up 11 shots including a missed penalty kick while Midtown (19-2-0) managed just two shots.
Chamblee finally broke through against Midtown goalie and team captain Ellie Palaian after 57 minutes and 31 seconds of action when Solai Washington was fouled from behind in the box to set up a penalty kick.
Junior Kara Croone set up for the penalty kick in front of Palaian and knocked it into the left corner past a diving Palaian to put Chamblee on the scoreboard at 1-0 with 22:29 to play.
Chamblee’s Gabby King (9) moves upfield during Chamblee’s win over Midtown. King scored one of the three second half goals by the Lady Bulldogs. (Photo by Mark Brock)
Fifty-seven seconds later Gabby King gathered in a crossing pass from Solai Washington and nailed it into the left side of the goal to make it 2-0 with 21:32 to play.
Croone finished off the scoring with her 26th goal of the season with 9:59 to play taking a pass from Kyla Osborne and hit a crossing shot behind the keeper to make it 3-0.
Chamblee outshot Midtown 26-2 in the game, 15 in the second half, with Midtown’s Palaian keeping her team in the game with 11 saves. Midtown did not manage a shot on goal in the second half as Chamblee kept the ball midfield and in for most of the second half.
It was the Lady Bulldogs 15th shutout of the season and made all 20 wins by three or more goals on the season. Chamblee has allowed just eight goals in 21 games (0.24 goals allowed).
Chamblee will be the home when they take on No. 5 ranked and undefeated Greenbrier (19-0), a 1-0 winner over Northgate (15-5), on Thursday, May 4 at 5:00 pm at Duluth High School due to Mercer University’s lacrosse team hosting a championship game.
DCSD STATE SOCCER RESULTS
Thursday, 4/27
CLASS 5A GIRLS
NORTH DEKALB STADIUM
Chamblee (20-0-1) 3, Midtown (19-2-0) 0
DCSD STATE SOCCER SCHEDULE
Thursday, May 4
MERCER UNIVERSITY – MACON
Greenbrier (19-0) vs. Chamblee (20-0-1), 5:00 pm