The Panthers worked their way slowly along the back roads to Dallas on Tuesday afternoon and managed to scrape out a 2-0 victory over Paulding County in the 5-AAAAA Girls State Sweet Sixteen. The game had a consistent tone of Starr’s Mill maintaining possession and the Patriots looking to counter quickly to goal.

With junior Sara Biddle shackled to the Paulding County main threat, seniors Ashton Nowicki, and Sky Dedrick, juniors Lauren Avidano, Kaleigh Ward, and Kirsten Oates, and sophomore Rachel Davison made fairly easy work of denying clear looks at goal throughout the game.

Ashton was called upon for a goal line clearance in the 15th minute, but that was the most dangerous moment of the afternoon. Senior Spencer Dawson and Sophomore Abby Weaver made easy work of the long shots at goal and recorded a relatively smooth shutout during the afternoon.

It was sophomore Nicki Jackson who burst down the flank and around the Patriot back line in the 35th minute to put Starr’s Mill in the lead. Senior Ansley Peurifoy found the split and Jackson streaked in straight to goal before powering a shot beyond the keeper’s reach for her first varsity goal.

While possession was a constant clear, chances were not as shots were fired straight to the keeper from distance or wide of goal. Heavy legs were evident throughout the team and subs were often and for extended periods of time. Sophomore Meritt Parker, Dedrick, and freshman Quin Nowicki each provided dangerous moments but it was all for naught as the half ended with a slim lead for Starr’s Mill.

The second half began playing to the same tune as the first. Starr’s Mill controlled large chunks of play, although Paulding County did manage to get a few shots on frame from distance. Peurifoy was the provider once again in the 63rd minute when she again found the defense splitting pass to Parker who fired a first time volley which went over the keeper and dipped into the far corner to double the lead.

Starr’s Mill finished off the game with possession and composure as the time ticked away counting down to advancing in the state tournament. The Panthers ended the game professionally for the 2-0 win and will move on to the next round.

Starr’s Mill travels north to face Flowery Branch May 5 in the 5-AAAAA quarterfinals. Kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.

Edited by Jenna Sanders