Fast break soccer. That is what Friday’s first round state game against Sonoraville looked like. The Lady Tigers swarmed on offense on the team’s way to a 4-0 shutout of the Phoenix.
It was the first time in the history of Dawson County girls soccer that a team has won a state game.
“It’s awesome. We did really good. We were able to get everybody in the game. Its just nice to win games like this. As we go deeper into the state it could be harder to get everybody into the game,” said head coach Jed Lacey.
“Our defense did a good job. Our keepers always do a good job. Everybody stepped up. Brittany Duffy did a great job of controlling the outside. It was a whole team effort. It wasn’t just one person,” he said.
With the win, the Lady Tigers advanced to the second round against Vidalia (11-4-1). Vidalia will travel to Dawsonville today for a 5 p.m. start. The Lady Indians defeated Fitzgerald, 10-0, to advance to meet the Lady Tigers.
Vidalia finished second in Region 2-AA.
Dawson County got on the scoreboard with 26:32 to play in the first half. Brittany Duffy took a pass from freshman McKay Shively inside the penalty box and blasted the ball by the Sonoraville goalie.
It was Brittany Duffy’s 10th goal of the season.
The Lady Tigers kept putting pressure on the Phoenix defense. Dawson County scored its second goal on a corner kick. Taylor Bennett served the ball into the penalty box. Waiting on the other end was the foot of Brooke Duffy with only 16.5 seconds remaining before halftime.
The goal was the 11th of the season for Brooke Duffy.
The score at halftime was Dawson County 2, Sonoraville 0.
Carissa Perez had a big second half for Dawson County. The senior midfielder scored two big goals to put the game out of reach.
Perez scored her third and fourth goals of the season to allow the Lady Tigers to come away with the 4-0 win.
The first goal came with 30:48 remaining on an assist from Riley Cox. Perez scored her second goal just two minutes later on a cross from Taylor Bennett.
“Carissa Perez played the best game since she has been here. She hustled well and got a couple of goals tonight,” Lacey said.
“Jade [Perry] did a great job controlling the middle. She hustled all night for us,” Lacey added.
In goal for Dawson County was Anela Melton.
The Lady Tigers recorded the team’s 14th shutout of the season.
“Goalkeeper Anela Melton did a great job tonight running the defense and helped keep the ball out of the net. Anela is a great keeper and along with Kenna Seitz, we have two of the best goalkeepers in the state in my opinion,” Lacey said.
The Lady Tigers are on a 9-game winning streak. During this period Dawson County has allowed only 1 goal. For the season the team has only allowed 6 goals.
Dawson County’s offense has been hitting on all cylinders. The team  has scored 37 goals during the 9-game winning streak. The team has scored 67 goals on the season.
“I thought Allie Costley took control of the hitting and then everyone started to pick up the tempo of the game,” Lacey said. “Emily Stowers did a great job with the defense in keeping Sonoraville out of our eighteen. Brooke Shively did a great job controlling the back end of the midfield on defense and also did a great job starting our attack out of the back.”
The Lady Tigers are currently 16-2 on the season.