GAINESVILLE, Ga. — Cherokee Bluff took over the lone No. 3 spot in Region 8-4A with a 2-1 win over No. 8 Chestatee in overtime Tuesday at the Lynn Cottrell Complex.
It was the fifth straight win for the Bears (8-4-1, 5-2 Region, 8-4A), which moved them within 0.5 games of second-place Cedar Shoals. Bluff won 1-0 two weeks ago and holds a head-to-head tiebreaker with the Jaguars.
Neither team was able to find the back of the net within regulation, resulting in a defensive long-battle. All three goals were then scored in the first of two overtime periods, activating the offensive line.
Chestate's Christian Vargas broke a scoreless tie 3:30 into the first overtime to take a 1-0 lead. But the War Eagles (7-5-2, 5-4 Region 8-4A) couldn't contain it.
The Bears quickly fought back. Freshman Travis Austin scored on a loose ball after a tackle by Paul Restis. Austin then assisted on Isaac Madrigal's goal to take the lead 2-1.
Chestatee had a chance to tie the score, but the Bluff defense held out and they were unable to score the tying goal in the second overtime period.
“I'm very proud of them for not giving up on their goal,” Cherokee Bluff coach Heath Padgett said. “We got it right back and tried to get it back right away. Our defense was great at the end.”
The loss drops the War Eagles to sixth place with one game remaining on the regional schedule.
Cherokee Bluff will get a big test Friday against No. 1 ranked and defending state champion Johnson at Yona Field. The Knights have won his 60th consecutive regional contest since 2015.
Chestatee will take a week off before heading to Gilmer next Tuesday.
gainesville 4,
Shiro 1
The Red Elephants clinched a playoff berth with their second straight region win on Tuesday and moved into third place in Region 8-6A.
Gainesville (6-7, 5-4, Region 8-6A) had two goals from Austin Duran and one each from Gabriel Ixcoy and Miguel Galavis.
For the Red Elephants, Daniel Galavis, Levin Manzo and Ofaty Nyembwe recorded assists.
Gainesville's next game is Thursday against Flowery Branch at City Park Stadium.
East 4 holes
flower branch 1
On Tuesday night, the Vikings scored three goals in the second half to win at Falcons Field.
Flowery Branch took the lead in the 26th minute, but just two minutes later Jonathan Torres tied it for East Hall on an assist from Justin Torres.
The game will go into the first half tied at one point.
Midway through the second half, Wilder Velasquez broke the tie in the 61st minute with a goal from outside the box off an assist from Jeo Perez. Jonathan Torres scored again four minutes later, completing his hat trick with a chip shot over the keeper in the final minute.
Justin Torres had three assists on the night and Aynor Romero-Turcios added one for East Hall (8-3).
The Vikings travel to North Hall on Friday.
Flowery Branch (1-8) will play Gainesville on Thursday at City Park Stadium.
