The GHSA soccer semifinals are Thursday for the girls and Friday for the boys to populate the championship matches which will take place next week.
The file will be updated with the boys semi coverage Friday evening. Follow the links to the boys and girls brackets or see the semifinals recaps below.
Class 7A Boys
Kennesaw Mountain 1, No. 2 Discovery 0
After a 0-0 tie at the half, a goal from Tony Castillo proved decisive for the Mustangs. The goal and victory gave the program a chance at its first state title. The team lost to South Forsyth 3-1 in the first-round last season but entering the playoffs this year, Kennesaw defeated Central Gwinnett 3-2, North Gwinnett 2-1, Colquitt County 2-1 and Discovery.
Campbell 2, No. 7 Archer 1
Campbell will have a chance at a program-first state championship after it moved past Archer 2-1 in the semifinals. The team defeated North Paulding 2-1, South Gwinnett 4-2, No. 3 Lambert and No. 7 Archer on the way to the title match. Last season, Campbell lost to Collins Hill 3-0 in the quarterfinals.
Class 6A Boys
No. 1 River Ridge 2, No. 6 North Atlanta 0
Top-ranked River Ridge has a chance for the team’s first-ever state championship after upending No. 6 North Atlanta 2-0 and a pair of juniors proved the difference. The Knights got one goal each from Gustavo Almeida and Chris Asbridge and a pair of assists from sophomore Bennett Vanglider to upend North Atlanta. Last season, River Ridge lost to Lassiter 3-2 in the championship match.
No. 3 Sprayberry 6, Glynn Academy 0
Four goals in the second half proved overwhelming as Sprayberry secured a ticket to the championship match and an opportunity for the team’s first title. Gavin Crowe scored twice for Sprayberry and Jean-Marcel Sylvain, Soren Bednar, Eric Cruz and Caua Aguiar each added one goal. Sprayberry beat Etowah 2-1, Habersham Central 4-2, Woodward Academy 2-1 and Glynn Academy to earn the title match berth. Last season, Sprayberry lost 3-1 to eventual runner-up River Ridge in the second round.
Class 5A Boys
No. 1 McIntosh 2, Midtown 1 OT
Top-ranked McIntosh has won eight overall titles and five since 2013 and will have a chance for another after moving past Midtown in the second overtime. A game-winner from Liam Newton-Smith proved the decider in the second overtime for McIntosh. A beautiful goal from Stephen Soriano midway through the first quarter put the Chiefs up 1-0, but Midtown answered with a goal with 27 minutes left in the second half to force extra time. Last season, McIntosh lost to Midtown 2-0 in the quarterfinals. This season, the Chiefs moved past Dutchtown 6-0, Cross Keys 2-1, No. 3 Dalton and Midtown to earn a championship berth.
No. 10 Decatur 2, No. 4 Cass 1 OT
Decatur has three state championships and over its overtime victory against No. 3 Cass, the Bulldogs will try for a fourth. Decatur won the program’s first title in 1977 and won another in 2003. Its last title came in Class 3A in 2016. After entering the playoffs as the No. 4 seed from Region 4, the Bulldogs moved past No. 6 Greenbrier 5-1, Harris County 3-2, No. 9 Chattahoochee 1-0 and Cass.
Class 4A Boys
No. 2 Westminster 2, Holy Innocents’ 1
Goals from Aiditya Kaul and Max Panchuk proved the difference for storied Westminster in the semifinals victory over Holy Innocents’. Kaul was assisted by Will Steward while Panchuk was helped by Musinga Mbuvi. Last season, Westminster lost 4-2 to Johnson-Gainesville in the title match and has a shot at redemption this season. In the playoffs, the Wildcats beat Heritage-Catoosa 4-0, Lovett 2-0, Bainbridge 2-0 and Holy Innocents’. Westminster won titles in 1966-67, 1976, 1982-83, 2001, 2006-07, 2011-13 and 2017-19. That’s 14 state championships and after the victory, the Wildcats will try for another.
No. 1 Johnson-Gainesville 1, Northwest Whitfield 0
Daniel Trujillo’s goal off a rebound from a shot by sophomore Junior Castillo proved the decider for the two-time, back-to-back, 2022, 2023 defending-champion Knights. Johnson will try for its fourth title since 2018 when it won the program’s first. The Knights won the program’s first title in 2018 in Class 5A and added another in 2022 before reclassifying to 4A last season.
Class 3A Boys
No. 3 Hebron Christian 3, No. 6 Bremen 1
Sam Carlson scored the go-ahead goal which would prove to be the difference in the Lions’ semifinals victory after entering halftime knotted at 1-1. Mason Luke scored the opening strike and Benji Gunji capped the scoring. The Lions will have a chance for the first state championship in program history after beating Carver-Atlanta 10-0, Dawson County 6-0, No. 1 Savannah Country Day 2-1 and Bremen. Hebron lost to eventual-champion Coahulla Creek in this round last season, 6-0.
No. 5 Columbus 1, No. 2 Oconee County 0
Columbus had only lost three times this season and once was a 4-1 defeat to Oconee County a little over a month ago. The revenge was sweet and a goal with 5:26 left in overtime proved the difference. Now the team has a shot at a program-first state championship after moving past Oconee. Last season, Wesleyan dealt Columbus a 2-1 loss in the quarterfinals. Columbus’ run through the bracket went through Hephzibah 10-0, Mary Persons 3-0, defending champion and No. 7 Coahulla Creek 2-0 and Oconee.
Class 2A Boys
No. 2 Toombs County 3, Fellowship Chrisitan 1
Toombs County outshot Fellowship Christian 15-4 overall and 8-3 on shots on goal to overwhelm Fellowship and advance to the program’s first-ever state championship appearance. Alejandro Toombs led 1-0 at the half. Tinoco, Axcel Barbosa and Yovanny Zamorano scored goals for the Bulldogs. On its historic run, Toombs defeated Kendrick 10-0, Berrien 9-0, Drew Charter 3-0 and Fellowship.
No. 1 Model 2, Providence Christian 1
A goal from senior Grayson Davis proved the deciding factor for Model and earned the team a shot at its first state title. Lakin Dancause put Model up 1-0 after corralling a loose ball and shooting it past the goalie. Providence Christian tied the match at 1-1 off a goal from senior captain Vincent Maraschiello before Davis’ game-winner. Model moved past North Cobb Christian 7-0, No. 3 Union County 1-0, No. 9 Pierce County 2-1and Providence on the way to the title match.
Class A Division I Boys
No. 1 Atlanta International 4, No. 3 Whitefield Academy 1
Top-ranked Atlanta International has a chance for its third championship after beating No. 3-ranked Whitefield. The Eagles defeated Armuchee 10-0, No. 10 Rabun County 11-1, Jefferson County 10-0 and Whitefield. Atlanta International previously won state titles in 2015 and 2022.
No. 5 Paideia 1(4), No. 8 Mount Vernon 1(3)
Defending champion Paideia has a chance for the program’s sixth state title since 2013 after outlasting Mount Vernon in two overtimes and penalty kicks. The Pythons defeated Trion 4-0, Elbert County 9-0, No. 6 East Laurens 7-0 and Mt. Vernon. Paideia won its first state title in 2013 and won in 2014, 2016, 2018 and last season.
Class A Division II Boys
No. 1 Georgia Military 4, No. 4 Christian Heritage 2
Two goals from Tommy Carty proved decisive for the top-ranked Bulldogs in the semifinal victory over the defending-champions. Jose Ojeda scored the opening goal for Christian Heritage. Owen McCabe beat the halftime buzzer to tie the match for Georgia Military. Tommy Carty gave the Bulldogs the 2-1 lead with 36 minutes left in the match. Luis Salinas tied the match 2-2 with 31 minutes left. Carty’s second goal with 30 minutes left put the Bulldogs up 3-2 and an easy goal from James Portwood put the match out of reach. Georgia Military has a chance for its third title after championships in 2019 and 2021.
No. 5 Atkinson County 4, No. 9 Atlanta Classical 2
Atkinson will try for the program’s first state title after the semifinals victory over Atlanta Classical. The team lost to eventual-champion Christian Heritage 3-1 in this round last season. Atkinson enjoyed a BYE in the first round and then beat Mount Zion-Carroll 3-0, No. 7 Fugees 2-1 and Atlanta Classical.
Class 7A Girls
No. 4 West Forsyth 4, No. 3 North Gwinnett 2
In a battle of top-5-ranked teams, West Forsyth, which won titles in 2021 and 2022 will try for the third championship in four seasons after outlasting the Bulldogs.
“We are just excited that all of our hard work has gone and paid off for us,” West Forsyth defender Marlee Raymond, who scored one goal in the semifinal matchup, told Forsyth Sports on X.
“We have been working hard all season long and we are glad to see results,” she said.
West Forsyth defeated Peachtree Ridge 3-0, Mountain View 6-2, North Paulding 3-1 and North Gwinnett on the way to the championship.
“Unbelievable,” head coach Jason Galt said. “This is our third time in four years, this is pretty dang cool. I am so lucky to have these girls. The ability and level of play in Forsyth County and here at West Forsyth, it’s unmatched. It’s just unmatched. They are so fun to watch.”
No. 1 Buford 1(3), No. 7 Walton 1(2)
The top-ranked Wolves have a chance at the program’s first-ever girls soccer title after outlasting Walton in penalty kicks 3-2. Walton wanted a shot at the team’s second state title and first since 1993. Buford has beaten Wheeler 9-0, Milton 1-0, No. 6 Hillgrove 2-0 and Walton.
Class 6A Girls
No. 2 Roswell 0(4), No. 5 Lassiter 0(2)
Roswell won its first-ever state title last season after beating Marist 2-0 and now the classification will enjoy a rematch in the final match. The Hornets outlasted 2022 6A champion Lassiter 4-2 in penalty kicks, Roswell has a chance at another trophy. The Hornets moved past Creekview 4-1, Habersham Central 3-1, North Atlanta 3-1 and Lassiter.
No. 1 Marist 6, No. 7 Johns Creek 1
Top-ranked Marist has a chance at its 12th state championship after handedly moving past No. 7 Johns Creek 6-1 in the semifinals. The War Eagles defeated Lee County 10-0, Grovetown 9-0, No. 3 Pope (2-2) 5-4 in penalty kicks and Johns Creek.
Class 5A Girls
No. 4 Greater Atlanta Christian 1(4), No. 1 Jefferson 1(2)
After a quarterfinals loss to Northgate 3-0 last season, Greater Atlanta Christian has a shot at the program’s fourth state title after upending top-ranked Jefferson 4-2 in penalty kicks after ending regulation tied 1-1. The Spartans previously won championships in 2012, 2014 and 2015. GAC has beaten Woodland-Cartersville 10-0, No. 2 Midtown 2-1, Northside-Columbus 10-0 and Jefferson on the way to the championship match.
No. 3 Cambridge 1, No. 7 McIntosh 0
Cambridge lost to the eventual champion Chamblee 6-3 in the quarterfinals last season and since, the No. 3-ranked Bears have wanted more. After upending No. 7 McIntosh 1-0, Cambridge will have a chance to win the program’s first state championship. The Bears defeated Calhoun 7-0, Clarke Central 6-0, No. 8 Greenbrier 4-0 and McIntosh in the playoffs.
Class 4A Girls
No. 1 Lovett 7, Cherokee Bluff 0
Mason Bosworth scored three goals to lead top-ranked Lovett through its semifinals victory. Ridley Newton and Katelyn Nixon (1 assist) each added two goals for the Lions. Hollis Mefford and Mary Camp Newton each had two assists while goalie Helen Shearer made four saves. Lovett has won five state championships including back-to-back titles in 2021 and 2022 in Class 2A.
No. 7 North Oconee 1, No. 3 Westminster 0
In a rematch of last year’s 4A championship contest won by Westminster 2-1, North Oconee got redemption. The team moved past Luella 10-0, No. 9 Northwest Whitfield, No. 2 Starr’s Mill and Westminster on the way to the championship. The Titans have one state title in 2021.
Class 3A Girls
No. 1 Oconee County 1, No .4 Dawson County 0
Top-ranked and defending champion Oconee County upended No. 4-ranked Dawson County and will meet familiar foe Wesleyan in the title match. Oconee moved past Carver-Atlanta 10-0, Lumpkin County 4-0, No. 3 Savannah Country Day 1-0 and Dawson County. Last season, the Warriors defeated Wesleyan 2-0 in the semifinals before upending Bremen 3-1 to win the program’s first title.
No. 2 Wesleyan 3, Columbus 1
Wesleyan led 2-1 before adding a second-half goal to expand the margin and put the match away. The Wolves have won two championships – 2017 in Class A and 2019 in Class A Private. On the way to the title match, Wesleyan defeated Lakeview-Fort Oglethorpe 10-0, Hebron Christian 7-0, No. 7 St. Vincents’ 9-1 and Columbus.
Class 2A Girls
No. 3 Fellowship Christian 7, No., 8 ACE Charter 1
Defending-champion Fellowship was led by Avery Paulson (2 goals), Kelly Rodman (2 goals), Lily Kate Elphick (1 goal), Ally Hardin (1 goal) and Cade Leach (penalty kick) against the Gryphons. Slayton Marbur scored ACE’s goal. Fellowship defeated Athens Academy 5-1 in last year’s title match and has a chance for its third title (2016).
No. 4 Mount Paran 4, No. 1 Model 2
Mount Paran overcame a 2-0 deficit after goals from Model’s Molly Allmon and Sophie Lawing to earn a shot at a program-first championship. The Eagles rallied with goals from Alexis Shafer, Sarah Schwartz (2 goals) and Catherine Cumbie to complete the comeback.
Class A Division I Girls
No. 1 Social Circle 5, Mount Vernon 3
Top-ranked Social Circle has a shot at its second title after moving past No. 5 Mount Vernon in the semifinals. Peyton Brooks and Alana Ferguson scored for Social Circle in the semis. The Redskins won the 2022 Class A championship and moved past Elbert County 10-0, No. 3 Whitefield Academy 4-3, No. 4 East Laurens 8-1 and Vernon.
No. 2 Paideia 2, Atlanta International 0
Paideia has title-loss sized chip on its shoulder after losing to Mount Vernon 3-1 in last year’s championship match. The Pythons have three titles but has not won a championship since 2013 (Class A) and after upending Atlanta International, Paideia has a chance. The team has beaten Dade County 7-0, Oglethorpe County 8-0, Bleckley County 10-0 and Atlanta International on the way to the title match.
Class A Division II Girls
No. 1 Lake Oconee Academy 3, No. 4 Atlanta Classical 0
Top-ranked Lake Oconee has never won a championship but after a 4-0 victory over Atlanta Classical in the semifinals, the Titans have a shot. Lake Oconee lost to Towns County 1-0 in last year’s semifinals and have been wanting more since then. This season, the Titans enjoyed a BYE in the first round and then moved past No. 7 Lincoln County 4-0, No. 8 Wheeler County 6-1 and Atlanta Classical.
No. 2 Aquinas 1, No. 5 Towns County 0
Defending-champion Aquinas defeated Towns County 5-2 in last year’s championship match and will try for a repeat and second-overall title. Aquinas enjoyed a BYE in the first round and then moved past Mount Zion-Carroll 5-0, No. 3 Portal 4-0 and Towns.
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