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PREP SOCCER: Eastside squads split with Walnut Grove, boys win second straight match
Creighton_Goerner
Eastside's Creighton Goerner, shown here in a recent game against Heritage-Conyers, scored both Eagle goals in Friday night's 2-1 win over Walnut Grove. - photo by Sydney Chacon

LOGANVILLE, Ga. — Tristan Aldridge, Hunter Rowell and Creighton Goerner teamed up for a goal on a free kick after a Walnut Grove yellow card foul, and Kade Mote executed a diving save to give Eastside a 2-1 victory over the Warriors Friday night. 

It’s the second straight win for Eastside which improved to 6-4-2 ahead of a crucial Thursday night battle at Druid Hills which will likely determine first place in the Region 4-AAAA standings. But on Friday, the Eagles were only in the mood to celebrate a gritty win over a fairly nearby rival. 

Goerner also accounted for Eastside’s first goal after Jordan Beam kicked the ball between a defenders legs, which led to Kade Mote assisting Goerner for the score in the 19:00 mark of the first half. 

After Walnut Grove booted the equalizer off a free kick, the teams stalemated for the rest of the half. Eastside had several clear shots on goal that just missed, or else the advantage could’ve been larger. But the Goerner score off of Rowell’s headball assist proved to be the finisher. 

The loss dropped the Warriors to 2-9-1 on the season, although Walnut Grove played Eastside a lot tougher than its record indicated.

Lady Eagles can't solve Walnut Grove defense

After a scoreless first half, the Walnut Grove Lady Warriors (6-5) dominated play in the second half while holding the Eastside Lady Eagles (6-5-1) at bay in the Warriors’ 2-0 non-region win Friday night. 

Walnut Grove junior GiGi Scott scored twice, both times off assists from freshman Reese Kerlin, in four minutes and 25 seconds. Scott's game-winner came with 26:18 remaining in the match, and she netted the final goal with 21:53 left to play. 

Kyli Greer
Freshman Kyli Greer about to launch a free kick after a foul against Walnut Grove in action Friday evening at The Grove. - photo by Mike Harrison | The Covington News

If not for the efforts of the Lady Eagles’ defense, the game could have been lopsided. Anna Shelton made several good saves at keeper and Camille Johnson, Liz Ozburn,

McKenna Walker, Sara Hammonds, Malaya Yamasaki and Kyli Greer all turned in outstanding performances under heavy pressure from the Lady Warriors. 

Goalkeeper Emma Bowen made the saves when she had to for the Lady Warriors, shutting out Eastside's offense for only the second time this season. 

The 2-0 win gives Walnut Grove a 4-3 lead in the all-time rivalry between the schools that began in 2011. The two schools did not play in 2012. 

Meanwhile, the Lady Eagles, having already clinched a state tournament berth, can still lock up second place in Region 4-AAAA with wins in its final two region matches at Druid Hills (March 29) and against North Clayton (April 10).