GEORGIA GIRLS SOCCER: Top-ranked Roswell topples No. 2 Marietta Pope to reach third straight state finals; Northgate advances past Greenbrier to earn finals date
- Dan Stickradt
- May 9
- 3 min read
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
ROSWELL, Ga. — Roswell is headed back to the state finals — again.
The Hornets, ranked No. 1 in the Class 5A coaches association poll and No. 1 nationally by the United Soccer Coaches, slipped past No. 2-ranked Marietta Pope 3-1 in the state semifinals at Roswell.
With the win, Roswell (20-0-0) advances to its third consecutive state championship game. The Hornets will face Northgate (20-2), a 3-1 winner over Greenbrier, on May 16 at 5 p.m. at McEachern High School’s Maxwell Memorial Stadium in Duluth.
Roswell captured the Class 6A state title in 2023 but lost in the Class 5A finals last season.
Sophomore center back Nya Jean-Baptiste scored two goals, both off set pieces, to pace the Hornets, who have compiled a 105-6 scoring edge over its opponents this season.
The game remained in a scoreless stalemate until the 43rd minute. Jean-Baptiste converted a penalty kick to stake Roswell to the 1-0 advantage.
In the 48th minute, Jean-Baptiste scored again to put the Hornets up 2-0 – this time as she laced a 40-yard free kick on a rope that was tucked in below the crossbar.
Marietta Pope cut into Roswell’s lead in the 51st minute. Sarah Gentry was on the doorstep to knock home a rebound inside the mixing bowl to make it a 2-1 game.
Marietta Pope could get no closer.
The Greyhounds took a gamble to try to net an equalizer, as Pope moved several players into the attack. Roswell’s Rachel Phifer made them pay when she converted a breakaway feed with just 18 seconds remaining for the 3-1 advantage and to cap the scoring.
Roswell outshot Pope 9-5 overall, including 6-4 with shots on frame. Lilli Suarez made three saves in four chances for Roswell, while Addie Daughtry recorded three stops on six chances for Marietta Pope.
The undefeated Hornets are looking for their second state championship in three years and second crown overall.
Marietta Pope finished the campaign with a 19-4-0 record, but could not slow down the state’s top overall team this season. Pope finished with 15 shutouts in 23 games, but Roswell became the first school to score more than two goals on the Greyhounds this entire season.
NEWNAN NORTHGATE 3, EVANS GREENBRIER 1: Third-ranked Newnan Northgate built a 3-0 lead and cruised to this victory Thursday in the Georgia High School Association Class 5A state semifinals in Newnan, Ga.
The Vikings improved to 20-2-0 on the year and advanced to the Class 5A state finals May 16 at McEachern High School against top-ranked Roswell.
Northgate, which last won a state title (Class 4A) back in 2013, have now outscored the opposition 139-9 this season with 15 shutouts in 22 games – and have outscored its postseason foes by a 15-2 count during its four postseason wins. The Vikings were also the state runner-up back in 2015 (Class 5A).
Greenbrier finishes the season with a 17-3-0 record. The Wolfpack featured a high-powered offense as well, outscoring their opposition 107-11 and recorded 12 clean sheets defensively. Greenbrier simply could not slow down the high-powered Vikings to reach the state finals.
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REPORTING SCORES
The National Soccer Network will compile daily roundups by state for high school soccer. Email results and all pertinent information to news@nationalsoccernetwork.com and dsickradt@thepremiermediagrp.com for publication consideration.
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