By Kevin Eckleberry

kevin.eckleberry@lagrangenews.com

LAGRANGE – LaGrange High’s soccer teams began their Region 5-AAAA schedules in winning fashion on Thursday at Callaway Stadium.

LaGrange’s girls’ team got a two-goal performance from Maggie Asbell on the way to a 3-1 victory over Central-Carroll, while Robert Reese scored the lone goal for the LaGrange boys’ team in a 1-0 win.

In the girls’ game, LaGrange fell behind 1-0 about five minutes into the game when Central-Carroll scored on a penalty kick.

It was still a 1-0 game when Asbell scored from about 35 yards on a free kick to pull LaGrange even.

“Our goal was to tie it up as quickly as possible in the second half,” LaGrange coach Andy Fritchley said. “The free kick, you could feel the whole momentum turn.”

With less than 20 minutes remaining, Asbell scored again on a nice kick from the corner from more than 20 yards away, and LaGrange had its first lead of the game.

A few minutes later, freshman Caroline Thompson scored a key insurance goal, and LaGrange led 3-1.

The defense did the rest, and LaGrange (5-3) walked away with the critical region win.

In the boys’ game, LaGrange’s defense tossed a shutout, and Reese scored his team’s lone goal in the 1-0 victory.

Reese’s goal came on a break-away in the first half, and the Grangers (5-1) made that one-goal lead stand up.

LaGrange’s teams will be back at Callaway Stadium on Tuesday against region foe Cartersville.

OF NOTE: For photos from Thursday’s games, check out facebook.com/LDNSports