Here is a primer for the semifinals of the state high school soccer playoffs that resume on Tuesday (girls) and Wednesday (boys):
Boys
Class AAAAAA: No. 8 Berkmar is making its first semifinals appearance after winning Region 8 and defeating North Cobb 6-0 in the quarterfinals. No. 5 Harrison advanced by defeating second-ranked Centennial 2-1, Nathan Vickroy scoring the deciding goal with six minutes left. No. 9 Collins Hill, winner of three of the last four state titles, is back in the semifinals despite losing six key players to the U.S. Soccer Development Academy in the offseason.
Class AAAAA: McIntosh is ranked No. 1 in the nation by NSCAA.com and has scored three or more goals in each game since March 1. Senior goalie Sergio Saleh heads a tight defense that has given up two goals all season.
Class AAAA: Three of the four semifinalists are from Whitfield County. No. 1 Dalton (20-0) heads the group, all three of which are from Region 7.
Class AAA: No. 1 St. Pius has not allowed a goal in the playoffs.
Class AA: Region 6 has three teams in the semis. Buckhead rivals Lovett and Westminster are joined by Greater Atlanta Christian.
Class A: No. 1 Paidiea is led by Eli Pinner, who has 37 career goals.
Girls
Class AAAAAA: Unranked South Forsyth is a bit of a dark horse after losing its last two regular season games and three of its last five. Rachel Shah scored four goals in the quarterfinals for the War Eagles. No. 1 Harrison plays No. 6 Brookwood, which beat the Hoyas 2-0 in a preseason exhibition.
Class AAAAA: All four semifinalists are from Region 4, led by No. 1 Whitewater, which went 10-0 in region play. McIntosh won the past two Class AAAA titles and leads the state with eight state championships.
Class AAAA: No. 1 Marist has won its three playoff games by a combined score of 28-0 and is the highest-ranked Georgia girls team in the NSCAA.com rankings at No. 7.
Class AAA: The final four is made up of all metro Atlanta teams, including three from Region 6. Combined, the four teams — St. Pius, Buford, Woodward Academy and Blessed Trinity — have given up two goals in the playoffs.
Class AA: All four semifinalists hail from Region 6. Wesleyan finished 0-6 in region play, but won its three playoff games to advance.
Class A: Two-time defending state champion First Presbyterian (17-1-2) has not lost to an in-state team all year and has defeated every Class A opponent.
Semifinals schedule
Girls
Tuesday
Class AAAAAA
South Forsyth at Parkview
Brookwood at Harrison
Class AAAAA
Starr’s Mill at Whitewater
McIntosh at Northgate
Class AAAA
Columbus at Veterans
Marist at Heritage-Catoosa
Class AAA
St. Pius at Buford
Woodward Academy at Blessed Trinity
Class AA
Wesleyan at Greater Atlanta Christian
Lovett at Westminster
Class A
First Presbyterian at Paideia
Fellowship Christian at Aquinas
Boys
Wednesday
Class AAAAAA
Berkmar at East Coweta
Harrison at Collins Hill
Class AAAAA
Starr’s Mill at Houston County
Pope at McIntosh
Class AAAA
Southeast Whitfield at Northwest Whitfield
Spalding at Dalton
Class AAA
Woodward Academy at East Hall
Oconee County at St. Pius
Class AA
Lovett at Westminster
Greater Atlanta Christian at Calhoun
Class A
First Presbyterian Day at Hebron Christian
Savannah Christian at Paideia
