By KEVIN ECKLEBERRY

Daily News

It was a winning senior night for LaGrange High’s soccer teams.

In the girls’ game, LaGrange rallied from a late 2-0 deficit to capture a dramatic 3-2 win over Auburn.

In the boys’ game, LaGrange won 2-0, and that was an impressive victory over an Auburn team that won the Class AAAAAAA state championship in Alabama last year.

Between the two matches, the seniors on the two teams were honored.

The Lady Grangers found themselves trailing by two goals when Caroline Thompson began the comeback when she scored with 9:30 to play.

Less than two minutes later, LaGrange notched the tying goal, with Kylie Russell scoring on an assist from Thompson.

With all the momentum, the Lady Grangers kept pushing, and they took the lead on a Thompson goal with about two minutes remaining.

The late rally allowed LaGrange’s seniors to enjoy a victory in their final regular-season game at Callaway Stadium.

“Our message (after the game) was, what a heck of a way to send out the seniors,” said Andy Fritchley, who coaches the team along with Colin Ross.

In the boys’ game, LaGrange was coming off a 3-2 loss to Opelika on Monday that snapped a nine-game winning streak.

The Grangers began what they hope will be a new winning streak with Wednesday’s victory.

Toni Sosa and Harrison Hunnicutt each scored for the Grangers, and Johnny McDonald had an assist.

Hunnicutt scored on a penalty kick after he was fouled in the box.

After playing short-handed on Monday, LaGrange got Robert Reese back for Wednesday’s game.

Jimmy Cancino, one of LaGrange’s top play-makers, didn’t play as he recovers from an injury.

Cancino should be ready to go when the state playoffs begin next week.

“They were defending state champs, and number eight in Alabama. So it was a good bounce-back for us,” LaGrange head coach Shane Pulliam said. “We had Robert, who we didn’t have. So we were almost at full strength.

“We’re a player away from full strength. (Cancino’s) runs really wear down a defense. And his physicality, and strength. That makes him hard on them, and makes it a little easier on us.”

LaGrange’s teams, who both won Region 5-AAAA championships, will be at home next week for the start of the state playoffs.