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The LaGrange girls soccer team went into Friday’s regular season finale against Fayette County needing a win to secure a spot in the 3A state playoffs. The Grangers delivered a scintillating performance in front of their home fans, winning 4-1. 

“We came into this game not wanting it to be the last game we ever played,” senior Ava Arrington said. “We went out there focused.”

With Fayette County arriving late to the stadium, the game featured an abbreviated first half, 20 minutes instead of the usual 40. LaGrange dominated the opening half but struggled to build consistency with such a short half. Most importantly, the Grangers were able to capture a 1-0 lead before halftime when Emma Maradik’s ball pierced the back line of the Tigers and Briley Cooper chipped the goalkeeper with a sensational volley. 

Maradik, a senior, has made a position change to best help the team. Formerly a goalkeeper, Maradik now starts in the midfield for the Grangers.

“I played some there for my club team last fall, so that helped prepare me for this,” Maradik said, “Still, it has been a pretty big change, but it was to help the team.”

The Granger offense was able to fully click into gear in the second half. Freshman Audrey Hill scored early in the second half to double the LaGrange lead and give the team a bit of breathing room.

The Tigers would make the LaGrange faithful sweat late, scoring a goal with 19 minutes left to halve the deficit. 

Instead of sitting in and defending their lead, the Grangers continued to attack. They would eventually be rewarded when Amelia Rockwell coolly dispatched two goals in the final 15 minutes to ensure the Grangers were back in the playoffs.

“It feels so good to get back in the playoffs,” Maradik said. “We didn’t always know if we were going to be here, but we kept fighting this season.”

On Friday, the team had to keep fighting despite being without leading goal scorer Reese Humphries. The junior midfielder was knocked out of Thursday’s game against 

LaGrange celebrated a massive win and also three of their very own for senior night — Arrington, Maradik and Demi Russell. 

LaGrange finished the regular season with a record of 6-12 overall and 5-3 in Region 2-3A. The Grangers finish fourth in the region standings, which is enough to clinch a playoff berth. 

LaGrange will be on the road to start the 3A playoffs, with their opponent expected to be announced on Monday morning. 

“Honestly, our favorite memories together are the bus rides to the away games, so we just see it as another chance to make a memory,” Arrington said.