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Alcovy loses narrowly to region foe Lakeside
AlcovyGirlsSoccer
Sophomore Kaliya Eutsey charges ahead looking to score for Alcovy Tuesday night against Lakeside. - photo by Gabriel Stovall | The Covington News

COVINGTON, Ga. — Despite the some strong second half play — particularly on defense — and an impressive showing from sophomore Kaliya Eutsey, the Alcovy girls soccer team came up short 1-0 Tuesday night against Region 2-AAAAAA foe Lakeside-Evans. 

Despite the loss, Alcovy coach Chris Ubriaco said he’s still seeing the kind of progress that signifies the Lady Tigers are traveling on a good trajectory. In fact, it was enough progress to make the second year girls coach wish he could get a 24-hour mulligan with Lakeside. 

“This was the first time we lost at home this year,” Ubriaco said. “If we could play them (Wednesday), I think this game would be a different story.” 

Lakeside’s Maddie Rollie scored the Lady Panthers’ lone goal in the first half, and then after that, the Alcovy locked down, and actually played most of the second half on the Lakeside keeper’s side of the field. 

In fact, it appeared the Tigers got a game-tying goal after a beautiful assist from sophomore Kaliya Eutsey at the 28:50 mark of the second half, but Baylea Payne was called offside. 

“It was what it was,” Ubriaco said. 

Infraction aside, it was a positive sign for what the Lady Tigers could’ve done if they’d have started as fast as they finished. 

“The first half, we came out a little slow and flat-footed,” Ubriaco said. “But in the second half, we held them down. They got one in the first half that never should’ve happened. It was a thing where there was no communication with the girls, and they turned a counter attack into an easy goal.” 

Alcovy had several more shots at the goal during the last 20 minutes of the game, but were unable to capitalize. 

“Like I said, in that second half, we woke up and started playing and we had the chances,” Ubriaco said. “We just couldn’t put it into the back of the net.” 

The loss dropped the Tigers to 5-4 in region play ahead of Thursday night’s home against region-leading Heritage. 

“We’re growing. We’re gelling and getting better,” Ubriaco said. “I think if we peak at the right time, we’ll be something to deal with.

*Make sure to pick up a print copy of The Covington News Sunday for a full feature on the Alcovy girls' soccer team and sophomore sensation Kalia Eutsey.