Wednesday – May 8th – The Bears traveled to Evans, GA (Augusta area) to face the homestanding Lakeside Panthers, the top seed from Region 3, in a quarter-final match.
Lakeside won its first two playoff matches by a combined score of 9-1 and Cambridge won its first two playoff matches by a combined score of 9-2, which lead to a good match.
The weather was great at match time and Cambridge controlled the pace of play, on a bumpy grass pitch, from the start of the match and for most of the first half. Cambridge had a number of quality scoring chances in the first and opened the scoring at the 5:48 mark when Christian netted a PK, which was earned by a crafty Austin who was taken down in the box by the goalie; Cambridge 1-0. Then two minutes later at the 3:15 mark Ansley (off a long ball from Trey) sprinted past Lakeside's back line, challenged the goalie and found the back of the net; Cambridge 2-0.
The second half opened with some back and forth play and around the 16:00 minute mark as Cambridge's back line took control of the match, building out of the back and providing the front line and attacking mid-fielders with a number of quality scoring opportunities but Cambridge could not find the back of the net. Late in the second half Cambridge turned the ball over a number of times by committing fouls in its defensive half and off sides violations in its offensive half, both provided Lakeside with a number of goal scoring opportunities, but they would only scored once, at the 1:22 mark; Cambridge 2-1. The match ended with the ball in Cambridge's defensive end but Lakeside could not get off a shot.
Next up for the Bears is a trip to Gainesville, GA to play Gainesville High School. This is a re-match of last years semi-final match which Cambridge won at home. This is back to back trips to the Final Four for both schools, the squads are evenly matched which should produce an exciting and entertaining game.
The match is Tuesday May 14th at 7:30PM in Gainesville. The winner advances to the State Championship the following Saturday. Plan to travel and support your Bears!
Go Bears!!