The Lady Tigers advanced to the Sweet Sixteen.

Dawson County routed visiting Ringgold 6-0 May 1 in action played at Tiger Stadium.

Dawson County took a 2-0 lead in the first half and cruised to the six goal win.

Coach Jed Lacey was able to get all 23 players in the game to give them playoff experience.

"Everyone was involved in this win," Lacey said. "We have only two seniors on this team and getting them in a state playoff game is important. Mckay Shively and Taylor Bennett put this team on their backs tonight. These two girls never quit and are relentless."

Five different Lady Tigers scored in the game. There were three freshmen that put the ball in the back of the net, Mackenzie Callas, Kathryn Ryerse and Brooke Cagle.

"How many teams can say they had three freshmen scoring in a state playoff game," Lacey said.

Shively got the Lady Tigers on the board first with 25:34 remaining in the first half on an assist by Riley Cox.

Teammate Bennett followed with a second goal with just six minutes remaining for a 2-0 lead off an assist by Emily Queen.

Dawson County put the game away on four second half goals by Callas (38:31), Ryerse (28:27), Cagle (14:41) and Shively (1:58). It was Shively's 14th goal of the season.

Picking up second half assists were Cox, Ava Walker and Callas.

Anela Melton added to her school record with another shutout. It was Melton's 11th of the season.

"All the pieces seemed to come tonight. We played the game that I have been trying to get them to play all year," Lacey said. "Offensively and defensively we played great. Our passing was beautiful tonight, but what I liked the most was the passion the girls played with."

Dawson County allowed Ringgold just one shot on goal the entire game.

The Lady Tigers will play defending Class AAA champion St. Pius X in the second round. St. Pius comes into the game following a 10-0 defeat of Morgan County in the first round.

Coach Sara Geiger's team is currently ranked No. 1 with a 14-3 record. The Lady Lions have lost to Grayson, Starr's Mill and Greater Atlanta Christian.

"They (St. Pius) are a very talented team and there is a reason they are ranked No. 1. We love the opportunity to play the best. Everything goes through St. Pius in girls' soccer in the state of Georgia. We know it is going to take the very best we have to defeat a team this caliber," Lacey said.

Dawson County has a 13-2-2 record coming into the St. Pius game and is currently ranked No. 7 in the current Class AAA coach's poll.

The game will be played today at 6 p.m. at St. Pius, the highest seed.