Dalton’s run of three state championships is over.
Greenbrier upended the Catamounts 1-0 (5-4) on penalty kicks, with keeper Conner Washer twice saving what would have been clinching goals in the extra session by Dalton.
The Catamounts won the AAAA state championship in 2013 and 2014 and the AAAAA title last year. During their run, they put together a streak of 80 games without a loss. That streak also came to an end this season.
According to Wayne Staats of the Augusta Chronicle, Dalton hadn't allowed a goal in the state tournament since the first round in 2014. The Catamounts had outscored playoff opponents 99-2 during a 16-game postseason win steak.
Greenbrier avenged last season’s 6-0 playoff loss to Dalton and advanced to face the Union Grove-Allatoona winner in the state quarterfinals. The bracket forced the Wolfpack to face the Catamounts early this year’s tournament.
“We’re taking the mentality that to win the state tournament, you’d have to beat Dalton,” Greenbrier coach Tony Cummings said Monday, before the second round game.
Washer, Greenbrier’s keeper, is a four-year starter that anchors the Wolfpack’s young back line of sophomores Jacob Woo and Eemeli Kohtanen and freshmen Nick Avant and Chris Roberts.
Georgia high school state soccer tournament news
--Class AAAAA No. 1 McIntosh shut out Gainesville 3-0 and will face Riverwood in the quarterfinal round. The location will be determined by a coin flip.
--Class AAAAAA quarterfinals are set:
- Milton will face Lakeside in a battle of region champions.
- Brookwood hosts Duluth in a matchup of the last two state champions in the largest classification.
- Alpharetta is the biggest upstart remaining the field. The Raiders stunned Gwinnett power Mill Creek in the first round and advanced to face Parkview with a win over East Coweta.
- No. 1 Chattahoochee has yet to allow a goal in two playoff wins. The undefeated Cougars will face Chattahoochee.
--Class AAAA No. 1 Johnson (Gainesville) held off Pike County 6-4 and advanced to face Southeast Whitfield.
--The Class AAA quarterfinals are set: East Hall will face Blessed Trinity. Dawson County will play Oconee County. Decatur faces Sonoraville, and Savannah Arts takes on Calhoun.
