MT. AIRY, Ga. — Habersham Central boys soccer coach Ric Wallace predicted the showdown for the Region 8-6A title would come down to his team’s defense against the fifth-ranked North Forsyth offense.
However, it was his offense’s counter-attack late that produced a controversial penalty kick, which senior Juan Lara converted for the match’s only goal, for a nail-biting 1-0 win at Raider Stadium Tuesday night.
In their first meeting last month, it also avenged an earlier 1-0 loss to North Forsyth.
“The boys decided to stay through on spring break and work on our plan for this game,” Wallace said. “You saw that preparation over the past week come through. They executed it perfectly.”
Based on the region’s points for wins system, Habersham Central (13-2, 11-1 Region 8-6A) had to win the match either in regulation or overtime to claim the title. A North Forsyth win, or a Habersham win in PKs would have given the title to North Forsyth.
The first half ended in a scoreless draw, and with 20 minutes left, it looked like the match was headed to at least overtime, as neither team could find the net. But a late call on a high kick by a North Forsyth defender inside the North Forsyth box resulted in Habersham being awarded a PK. Several North Forsyth players protested the call, but it would eventually stand. Lara did not waste the chance.
“I practice PKs every day, and I knew where I was going before we even got the PK,” Lara said. “This means so much to us to bring the (region title) trophy home. It’s been a while.”
It’s Habersham Central's first region title since 2019, and they will take the No. 1 seed into next week’s Class 6A playoffs.
Despite the low score, both teams had plenty of chances.
The first half saw both teams create some solid opportunities, but neither could find the net, and it went to the break in a scoreless tie.
In the 3rd minute, Habersham Central had the first chance when Lara rifled a 20-yard blast through traffic. But North Forsyth keeper Landon Merritt was able to make a diving save.
North Forsyth countered quickly with a beautiful cross into the box that Austin Chavarria headed just wide left less than a minute later.
It was a midfield battle for the next 20 minutes, as both defenses were tough to crack. North Forsyth got another chance in the 23rd minute, but a 34-yard free kick was knocked down in the box.
Brody Tyree nearly got Habersham on the board in the 26th minute with a strong 50-yard shot on a direct kick, but again, Merritt was able to make a save.
In the 36th minute, Habersham’s Xzavier Lopez sailed a 25-yard blast just wide left, and North Forsyth had one more opportunity in the final two minutes, but a header on a chip into the box bounced wide left.
In the second half, North Forsyth (16-1, 11-1 Region 8-6A), who came into the match averaging 4.25 goals/game, went on the attack. North Forsyth created shots in the 42nd minute, and two more in a wild flurry in the 49th minute, the second which forced Habersham keeper Everett Rudeseal to make a diving save.
Lara had Habersham’s first chance in the second half in the 55th minute, but Merritt was able to make the stop on a 30-yard blast. Chavarria had another solid opportunity for North Forsyth in the 59th minute on a 20-yard shot, but it slid just past the right upright.
That’s when Habersham began its counter, which led to the PK. Despite the need to win in regulation, it was one of only a few true attacks by Habersham.
“North Forsyth is a very dynamic attacking team, so we wanted to stick with our defensive plan for as long as we could,” Wallace said. “Fortunately, we got an opportunity, and we were able to make it count. These guys have been waiting their whole lives for this, so it’s great to see them get it.”
Both Habersham and North Forsyth will play host to first-round playoff games when the playoffs open on April 19.
“We’ll go out and start getting ready for whoever it is,” Wallace said. “I think our region as a whole has a really good shot at winning several first-round games. It’s a tough region.”
