Lady Warriors advance to Sweet 16

The Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe girls soccer team defeated Callaway, 4-1, on Thursday, April 30 in the first round of the Georgia Class AAA State Playoffs to advance to the Sweet 16.

The Lady Warriors, who were scheduled to travel to Washington County on Tuesday, May 5 are 14-4 overall.

Head coach Traci McCracken says her team has a chance to make a run for the state title.

“The girls are so excited,” she said. “They’re thrilled. They know they have a good chance in this round and they know they can keep going. They’re really proud… we have a good bracket and I think we have a shot at making it to the end.”

The Warriors got three firsthalf goals from senior sharpshooter Abbi Mabry and one from senior Katie Shelly against Callaway.

McCracken said it was a typical outing for Lady Warriors. While they’re strong in senior leadership, she said they’re also anchored by six freshmen in the starting lineup. That includes Lindsey Dunham, (goal), Chelsey Lindsay (wing), Alyssa Leverrett (midfielder), Mia Payne (defender) and Hannah Elleman (defender).

“This is really a good team,” she said. “They’re really communicating well and doing their jobs.”

McCracken said a lot of their team’s success goes to freshman keeper Lindsay Durham. She‘s currently No. 1 in Class AAA in saves with 160 prior to post season play.

“Lindsay has been very key,” she said. “To be a freshman she’s very vocal and she communicates very well with our senior defensive captain Kayla Hull.”

Mabry is also solid in her efforts. She’s ranked first in assist with 23 and second in goals with 32.

McCracken said she anticipated a battle with Washington County, which is roughly three and a half hours away.

“Washington County is a pretty decent team,” she said. “Our offense is really going to have to work to score, but I think they can do it with the new formation.”

McCracken said Shelly has moved up to forward, while Mabry and Leverrett are the midfielders.

“Only having one forward has made a big difference,” she said. “We’re getting a lot more ball movement.”