By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

On the heels of a second straight region championship, the LaGrange High girls’ soccer team begins what it hopes will be another lengthy state-playoff run today.

LaGrange, which made it to the quarterfinals last year, will host Gilmer County today in the first round of the Class AAAA state playoffs.

The game will be a part of a LaGrange soccer doubleheader.

After the LaGrange girls’ team plays at 4 p.m., the LaGrange boys’ team will take on Lafayette at 6 p.m., and both games will be at Callaway Stadium.

LaGrange’s girls’ team secured the Region 5-AAAA title with a 1-0 road win over Cartersville on April 19.

Sophomore Caroline Thompson scored a goal late in that game to lift LaGrange to the dramatic win.

LaGrange (10-5-3 overall) went 6-0 in the region for the second straight year, and it thumped Spencer 10-0 on Friday to finish the regular season on a positive note.

Thompson and freshman Sydney Ormsby have been prolific scorers for LaGrange this season.

Thompson leads the team with 18 goals, and Ormsby is close behind with 16 goals.

Maggie Asbell, who led the team in scoring last season, has nine goals this spring.

Defense has also been a strength for LaGrange this season, with senior goal keeper Maurie White leading the way.

LaGrange’s boys’ team, which has nearly doubled its scoring output from a year ago, is led by senior Liam McDonald, who has 23 goals. Max Halcomb and Robert Reese have nine goals apiece, and Halcomb leads the team with 14 assists.

Sophomore Jack DeVane has done a terrific job as LaGrange’s goal keeper.

CALLAWAY: The Lady Cavaliers, after finishing second in Region 5-AA, will be at home today as they look to win a state-playoff game for the second straight year.

Callaway (11-8 overall) will host South Atlanta at 6 p.m., with the winner advancing to the second round to play either Putnam County or Model.

Callaway is led by a strong senior class that includes two players, Kelly Carlisle and Chloe McGuffin, who have already signed on to play college soccer.

Carlisle, Callaway’s leading scorer, is heading to Point University, while McGuffin will go to LaGrange College.

Callaway head coach Shonna Yawn said she’s appreciative of everything the seniors have done.

“It’s a great senior group,” Yawn said. “It’s been amazing working with the group we have, and watching them grow, and see them sign. We’re truly going to miss them next season.”

Callaway also has some talented under-classmen, including sophomore Cheney Eubanks has also found the net often.Callaway’s boys’ team will host Douglass on Friday at 7 p.m. as it looks to win the first state game in the history of the program.