The Henderson Mill Elementary Eagles went from Area 1 runners-up to county champions with thrilling 3-2 win over Laurel Ridge. (Photo by Henrietta George)
The Henderson Mill Elementary Eagles won a thrilling 3-2 match with the Laurel Ridge Eagles at Godfrey Stadium to win the inaugural DeKalb County School District Elementary County Soccer Championship title on Saturday (December 7).
Henderson Mill and Laurel Ridge had survived the 12-team, single elimination bracket to meet in the finals. Henderson Mill was the runner-up in Area 1 and Laurel Ridge was the Area 2 champion coming into the final tournament.
The pair of Eagles battled to a 2-2 before going into extra time. A put back by Henderson Mill with 2:34 left on the clock clinched the 3-2 win for the county championship title.
Laurel Ridge advanced to the championship round with a semifinal victory over the Fairington Panthers, the third place team from Area 3 that fought their way into the semifinals.
Action from the single elimination tournament for the inaugural DCSD Elementary Soccer County Championships includes Hawthorne vs. Smokerise (top) and Cary Reynolds vs. Briar Vista (bottom). (Photos by Lyle Collins)
The other semifinal featured a rematch from the Area 1 title match won by the Cary Reynolds Bulldogs against the runner-up from Henderson Mills. Henderson Mill knocked off Cary Reynolds in the rematch to continue the Eagles’ march to the championship.
Other Area 1 teams competing were third place Doraville and fourth place Hawthorne to round out the participants from their area.
Joining Laurel Ridge from Area 2 were runner-up Jolly, third place Briar Vista and fourth place Smokerise.
The Area 3 representatives in the championship tournament besides third place Fairington included Area 3 champ Stoneview, runner-up Cedar Grove and fourth place finisher Wadsworth.