Busy week for soccer teams
Published 2:10 pm Tuesday, March 20, 2018
By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY
Daily News
The soccer teams from LaGrange and Troup will square off today at Callaway Stadium, with the girls’ game set to begin at 5:30 p.m., and the boys’ game to follow.
The boys’ game features a pair of teams fighting for playoff position in Region 5-AAAA.
LaGrange is unbeaten in the region with a 2-0 record, while Troup is 1-2 against region opponents.
LaGrange (6-2-1) has won five consecutive games overall, and it has beaten Sandy Creek and Cedartown in region play.
The Grangers have been getting it done with a high-powered offense that averages close to three goals per game.
Already, LaGrange has surpassed its goal total from a year ago.
In LaGrange’s region opener against Sandy Creek, it trailed 2-0 in the first half before rallying for a 6-4 victory.
LaGrange fought back from a 2-0 deficit earlier in the season to beat Pike County.
“There’s no panic (when falling behind),” said Liam McDonald, LaGrange’s leading scorer. “It’s like all right guys, we’ve got to focus and dig down deep.”
Troup’s lone region win came on March 26 when it won 2-1 at Chapel Hill.
Troup’s region losses were against Cartersville and Cedartown.
LaGrange’s girls’ team brings a 2-0 region record into today’s game, while Troup is 0-3.
LaGrange won the region championship last season, and it has put itself in position to compete for the title again this year.
After opening region play with a 2-1 road win over Sandy Creek, LaGrange thumped Cedartown 11-1.
While the wins have come, LaGrange coach Colin Ross believes the best is yet to come as he and coach Andy Fritchley tinker with the lineup.
“It’ll come,” Ross said. “We’re still working on the rotations, working on getting in the right spots. I think it’s going to be one person being put in the right spot, and it’ll all come together.”
Troup’s girls’ team is hoping to find a spark after dropping its first three region games.
The teams from LaGrange and Troup both have one more region game this week.
On Friday, LaGrange will visit Chapel Hill, and Troup will host Central-Carroll.
Callaway’s soccer teams will be on the road on Wednesday as they look to remain locked in to the second spot in Region 5-AA.
Both Callaway teams are 4-1 in the region after getting home wins over Spencer last week.
Callaway will visit region foe Jordan on Wednesday before traveling to Haralson County on Thursday for non-region games.
If Callaway’s teams remain in second, or move up to first, they will host a game in the first round of the state playoffs.
TODAY
LaGrange vs. Troup, 5:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
Callaway at Jordan, 5:30 p.m.
THURSDAY
Callaway at Haralson County, 5:30 p.m.
FRIDAY
Central-Carroll at Troup, 5:30 p.m.
LaGrange at Chapel Hill, 5:30 p.m.