MACON – Paideia outscored Fellowship Christian 4-3 in penalty kicks after the teams had played to a 2-2 tie through regulation and overtime to win the Class A boys soccer championship Thursday at Mercer University’s Five Star Stadium.
Paideia goalkeeper Lehn Ellingson blocked Jake Williamson’s kick in the first round of penalty kicks, then watched Drew Williamson’s attempt sail high in the final round, giving the Pythons (15-4-3) their third state championship in four seasons.
Paideia’s Spencer Rose, Sohail Ghatnekar, Josh Fischbach and Josh Sumo converted their kicks for the Pythons.
Paideia applied pressure on Fellowship Christian goalkeeper Andrew Johnson from the outset of the game. It took awhile for that pressure to pay off, but eventually the Pythons broke through with two second-half goals.
Trailing 1-0 early in the second half, Paideia finally got on the scoreboard in the 46th minute on a shot Johnson could do little about, a penalty kick by Sumo after a hand-ball call against Fellowship Christian.
The Pythons took a 2-1 lead 10 minutes later when Perry Ardell scored from about 15 yards out near the left side of the penalty box.
Fellowship Christian (17-4) responded with 15:52 remaining in regulation when Jake Williamson scored on a header off a long pass from the right side.
It was the second goal of the night for Williamson, who had perhaps the most impressive goal in the four games played Thursday. He blasted a low shot from the top corner of the penalty box on the left side of the goal past Ellingson for a 1-0 lead about 20 minutes into the match.
Paideia’s victory denied Fellowship Christian a sweep of the Class A titles. The Paladins’ girls team beat Atlanta International 3-0 earlier in the day.
The championships continue on Friday with title games for the boys and girls in AAAAAA and AA.
