GAINESVILLE, Ga. — The Lakeview Academy girls soccer team advanced to its first-ever Final Four in any classification on Friday, beating Holy Spirit Prep in a slugfest, 7-5, in the GIAA Class 3A playoffs.
Sadie Leek scored five goals and added an assist to pace the Lady Lions (11-4) attack. Annie Nivens scored two goals and also had an assist for Lakeview. Addi Graham and Parish Byrd each had one assist.
Leek scored three first half goals but Holy Spirit each time answered with a goal as the two teams went to the half tied at three.
Lakeview struck quickly in the second half as Leek scored to reclaim the lead and Nivens added a pair of goals to push the lead to 6-3 for Lakeview. But Holy Spirit did not go away, pulling within 6-4 before Leek netted her fifth goal with 20 minutes remaining. Holy Spirit answered four minutes later to get within 7-5 but the Lady Lions were able to hold on for the win.
Lakeview next will travel to Westminster of Augusta, who beat Terrell Academy 4-1, in the GIAA Class 3A semifinals.
The Lakeview boys, however, lost to No. 1 Holy Spirit Prep, 9-0, on Friday at Holy Spirit in the first round of the GIAA Class 3A playoffs.
The Lions finished 9-8-1 on the season.
