The Spalding Jaguars soccer team missed some opportunities late, but did enough early to defeat the Westside-Augusta Patriots 2-0 Thursday evening in the first round of the Class AAA state playoffs at Memorial Stadium. It was the first home state playoff win for Spalding (13-4-1) in several years.

The rain held off Thursday, but it was the Jags who rained on the Patriots’ parade. Jags senior Harrison Turner scored the match’s first goal on an assist from William Thomas to give No. 2 seed Spalding the 1-0 lead 7 minutes into the match. Later in the half, Jake Mathis made several good moves on the Patriots (11-3) and put teammate Braxton Stephens in a great position for a tap-in goal to give the Jags a 2-0 lead, which stood at halftime.

The second half was a defensive struggle as neither team could dent the scoreboard. Spalding had several opportunities to score and get a bit more comfortable but the Jags were either offside or they missed shots. And speaking of shots, the Jags had 17 shots total, 6 on goal, and 7 corner kicks while No. 3 seed Westside only had 3 shots, 1 on goal, and no corner kicks.

“It would’ve been nice for us to have taken advantage of the opportunities to score, especially in the second half, but their keeper did a good job,” said Jags head coach Scott Henderson. “But we won and that’s all that matters.”

Turner was glad to win the first home state playoff match of his high school career.

“It feels great to get this win. We’re trying to go where we haven’t gone before and that’s to the Elite 8 and beyond,” Turner said. “No Spalding boys team has ever gotten past the Sweet 16. We’re confident we can make it.”

To get to the Elite 8, the Jags will have to beat a tough Carrollton team next week. No. 1 seed Carrollton defeated Grady 2-1 Thursday, so that means Spalding will travel to play Carrollton in the second round of state on May 8.

“I’m looking forward to that match,” Turner said. “Hopefully we can pull off the upset.”

SPALDING HIGH BOYS

Date |Opponent |Time

2/14 |Luella |W 3-1

2/16 |@ Pike Co. |W 2-0

2/28 |Newnan |L 2-1

3/2 |@ L. Grove* |W 8-0

3/9 |Bulldog Cup-Perry |W 2-1

3/10 |Bulldog Cup-MPHS |L 6-0

3/10 |Bulldog Cup-FPD |L 2-0

3/13 |Stockbridge* |W 4-0

3/16 |Henry Co.* |W 2-1

3/23 |E. Landing* |W 4-1

3/29 |@ Eastside* |W 6-0

4/6 |@ Griffin |W 4-0

4/10 |Alcovy |T 1-1

4/13 |@ Drew* |W 2-0

4/17 |Sandy Creek* |L 2-1

4/20 |@ Jackson* |W 2-0

4/24 |LaGrange |W 3-0

****STATE PLAYOFFS****

5/3 |Westside-Aug. |W 2-0

5/8 |@ Carrollton |tba