The Dawson County High School varsity boys' soccer team is headed to the Sweet 16.

The Tigers defeated Ringgold, 5-0, May 1 at Tigers Stadium to advance in the Class AAA state playoffs.

With the win, Dawson County reached the Sweet Sixteen for the second time in school history. The Tigers reached the second round in 2008.

Coach Jed Lacey's team is ranked No. 3 with a record of 15-2 overall.

Last week's game with Ringgold saw the Tigers take a 2-0 halftime lead on goals by Cole Edwards and Randy Schultz.

Edwards' goal was his 13th of the season. The assist came from Brandon Lund with 21:30 left in the first half. Lund tied the school record with his 15th assist of the season.

Schultz scored with just five minutes remaining before halftime off of an assist from Edwards. It was the fourth goal of the season for Schultz.

Dawson County put the game out of reach with two goals within a two-minute period during the second half.

Goals by Lund (22:21) and David Velasquez (20:26) extended the Tigers lead to 4-0.

Velasquez's goal came on a penalty kick and it was his seventh goal of the season.

Lund added another goal on a penalty kick with six minutes remaining. It was Lund's 22nd goal of the season, breaking a school record.

Goalie Brooks Fulford completely shut down Ringgold to record his ninth shutout of the season. The Tiger defense allowed just three shots on goal, which Fulford stopped with ease.

"We played flawless tonight, except for missing seven shots in front of the goal with bad and rushed placement of the ball on the shots. We can't afford to miss shots like that as we advance in the playoffs," Lacey said.

"We dominated Ringgold from the opening whistle," he said. "We got Sal Mendoza back from an injury. Having Sal back made everything right again. Our forwards benefited having Sal back."

The second round of the state playoffs was played yesterday in Dawsonville. Scores were unavailable at press time.

The team faced off against state power St. Pius X.

St. Pius came into the game with a No. 2 ranking and a record of 14-5. The Lions have dropped games to Westminster, Glynn Academy, St. Josephs, Greater Atlanta Christian and No.1-ranked Woodward Academy.

St. Pius defeated Dawson County last year in the first round by a 5-0 score. The Lions went on to win the State Class AAA championship.

The Lions had been ranked No. 1 all season until losing to Woodward Academy in the last game of the season.