Callaway captures rivalry win over Troup

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, April 19, 2016

By Kevin Eckleberry

keckleberry@civitasmedia.com

Troup’s players try to chase down Callaway’s Savannah Thompson during Monday’s game in West Point. Thompson scored two goals. Kevin Eckleberry | Daily News

http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2016/04/web1_soccer4-1.jpgTroup’s players try to chase down Callaway’s Savannah Thompson during Monday’s game in West Point. Thompson scored two goals. Kevin Eckleberry | Daily News

Callaway’s Chloe McGuffin scored one of her team’s goals during Monday’s 6-0 win over Troup. Kevin Eckleberry | Daily News

http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2016/04/web1_soccer3-2.jpgCallaway’s Chloe McGuffin scored one of her team’s goals during Monday’s 6-0 win over Troup. Kevin Eckleberry | Daily News

Callaway’s Courtney Hanner goes airborne to collect the ball during Monday’s game. Kevin Eckleberry | Daily News

http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2016/04/web1_soccer2-3.jpgCallaway’s Courtney Hanner goes airborne to collect the ball during Monday’s game. Kevin Eckleberry | Daily News

Callaway’s Michaela Grier scored a goal during Monday’s game. Kevin Eckleberry | Daily News

http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2016/04/web1_soccer16.jpgCallaway’s Michaela Grier scored a goal during Monday’s game. Kevin Eckleberry | Daily News

Brianne Vaught scored a goal for Callaway during Monday’s county showdown with Troup. Kevin Eckleberry | Daily News

http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2016/04/web1_vaught.jpgBrianne Vaught scored a goal for Callaway during Monday’s county showdown with Troup. Kevin Eckleberry | Daily News

Acia Stephens scored a goal to help Callaway beat Troup. Kevin Eckleberry | Daily News

http://lagrangenews.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/37/2016/04/web1_soccer-stephens.jpgAcia Stephens scored a goal to help Callaway beat Troup. Kevin Eckleberry | Daily News

WEST POINT – They’re halfway to a county championship.

The Callaway Lady Cavaliers broke open a close game in the second half to beat the Troup Lady Tigers 6-0 on Monday afternoon in West Point.

Callaway will host LaGrange at 5:30 p.m. on Friday, and the winner of the match will be the county soccer champion.

In Monday’s match, Troup hung tough with Callaway in the first half, and it was a 2-0 game at the break.

Callaway got a goal less than a minute into the second half, and it went on to score four more times in the final 40 minutes to win going away.

Savannah Thompson scored twice for Callaway, and Michaela Grier, Chloe McGuffin, Brianne Vaught and Acia Stephens also scored.

Troup had some quality looks at the goal, particularly late in the game when it made some strong pushes, but it was unable to put the ball in the net.

The game was scoreless until, with 16:55 left in the first half, Thompson notched the first of her two goals, and Callaway had a lead it wouldn’t relinquish.

It remained a one-goal game until Grier found the net with 4:35 remaining in the half, giving Callaway a 2-0 lead.

Callaway started quickly in the second half with two goals in the first five minutes.

With 39:04 left in the game, it was McGuffin getting the ball into the net for the goal, and Callaway led 3-0.

Less than four minutes later, Vaught collected a rebound, and her shot attempt was on target, and Callaway was up 4-0 with 35:32 left in the game.

With 21:55 to play, Callaway added another goal.

Thompson delivered a terrific pass across the field to Stephens, and she connected for the goal to put Callaway on top 5-0.

A short time later, it was Thompson doing the scoring.

She banged the ball into the top portion of the net for the goal, giving Callaway a 6-0 cushion with 20:21 to play.

Troup kept fighting, and it had some nice opportunities in the final 10 minutes, but Callaway’s defense was up to the challenge.

Callaway will complete its Region 5-AAA schedule with a home game against Pepperell on Wednesday before welcoming LaGrange for Friday’s showdown.

Troup will host Harris County on Thursday at 5:30 p.m., and the game will be played in West Point.

Reach Kevin Eckleberry at (706) 884-7311 or on Twitter @lagrangesports