Lady Dogs mash Macon Co. in first round

Published 10:34 am Saturday, April 26, 2025

The GMC Prep Lady Bulldogs bombarded the net in their state playoff opener versus visiting Macon County Tuesday.

The first round matchup ended about nine minutes early as the Area 2 champion GMC girls mercy-ruled the Montezuma school 10-0.

Macon, who entered with a 1-15 record, was overmatched from the start as the visitors had just enough players to field a team. Their version of getting a break was being switched from defense to offense since the back end had to work hard all game long to ward off the attack of the higher-seeded home team.

Scoring started just over three minutes in when senior Saiya Patel looped a left-to-right ball over the keeper’s head for the game’s first goal. Only two minutes later, junior Kayla Phillips drove into the box from the right side and sent a shot that bounced off the Macon County goalie’s hands. Freshman Ava Russell was there for the clean-up opportunity and notched her first of what would be four goals on the night.

It took over 10 minutes of game game time for Macon County to get into the attacking third of the field. GMC keeper Raeley Wolfe and the defenders in front of her had an easy night overall, though.

Freshman Claire Carty stole a weak Macon goal kick and put it away to advance the Lady Dogs’ lead to 3-0 at 23:02 in the first. An Ellie Westmoreland boot and beautifully lofted left-foot shot by Carlee Blackerby made it 5-0 at halftime.

GMC under head coach Lauren Childers quickly poured in three more goals in just over five minutes following the break. A Russell header gave her her second. Patel kept pace by going back post at 37:23. Her shot a couple of minutes later deflected off a Macon County player, and Russell was there to finish the play and earn herself a hat trick. The freshman’s fourth goal and the team’s ninth came at 12:43. The game ended at 9:25 when sophomore Addison Brown blasted a ball in from the left side.

Tuesday’s win was the fifth in a row for GMC Prep girls soccer. They hope to earn a sixth when they host Claxton in the second round Tuesday.

Boys dominate too

GMC Prep boys soccer had an easy time in the first round as well. The Bulldogs beat Manchester 10-0 to continue their march to hopeful back-to-back state champ status.

Senior Brody Brock had the big night with four goals. Sophomore James Portwood posted a pair, and Bennie Huff IV, Madhav Patel, Aidan Saylor and James Walters had one apiece.

The road to the championship gets a little more difficult in the second round. The GMC boys will host Brooks County, whose record now stands at 12-4 after beating Portal 6-0 in their first round matchup.