Athens Academy advances to second round of playoffs

The Athens Academy men’s soccer team defeated Holy Innocents’ in the first round of the Georgia Single A Private state playoffs 2-1 at Slaughter Field, Wednesday April 21st.

The Spartans scored their first goal by senior captain Lewis Scruggs to tie the game 1-1. After a scoreless first half on both sides of the ball, Scruggs dribbled past two defenders to score a solo goal in the 56th minute of the game.

“It was awesome. It was just like momentum started for the whole team” said Scruggs.

That’s what the Spartans needed. Momentum.

In the first half alone, Athens Academy had multiple chances to make simple shots but the Holy Innocents’ defense tested the Spartans all night meeting them with aggression and persistence.

“We knew that they were a lot larger, and a little more physical.” Said Coach Billmayer, “So we knew, playing teams like that, it is more advantageous for them to play balls in the air.”

In the second half Holy Innocents came back out with the same aggression on defense, getting the ball up field to allow junior forward Ashton Gill to head the ball in and give Holy Innocents the first goal of the game in the 44th minute.

Athens Academy quickly answered and just 10 minutes after Scruggs' clutch game tying goal, junior Myles Pringle crossed the ball over to junior Bennet Slatcher who kicked it in to give the Spartans the lead of 2-1.

“Great ball play from Myles, just had to make the simple play to finish it, but it’s all thanks to the teammates,” said Slatcher.

With Scruggs’ goal tying the game, and Slatcher moving the Spartans to a leading position, the Golden Bears started to fall back, struggling to make anything work. Holy Innocents' star player Patxi Risinger had one goal attempt but couldn’t seem to get anything done for the remainder of the night.

With season livelihood on the line, emotions ran high for both teams, both making multiple foul and dirty shots at one another all night. Captains and star players, Risinger (Holy Innocents’) and Scruggs (Athens Academy) were both given a yellow card for roughing a player throughout the night. Both captains were taken out momentarily and put back in, playing with chips on their shoulders for the remainder of the game.

As the Golden Bears defense slid back. Athens Academy’s defense seemed to wake up and become more aggressive as the night unfolded. Keeping the Spartans spending most of the second half on their attacking third.

After a hard-fought game, the Holy Innocents’ Golden Bears are heading back home empty handed. As for Athens Academy, they will start gearing up for the second round of playoffs. The Spartans will take on Fellowship Christian Academy, Tuesday April 27th.