Union County Soccer Wraps up Historic Week

Union County soccer is back in the State Tournament for the first time since 2016 and it appears they haven’t missed a beat.

Both the Panthers and Lady Panthers took care of business this week in their respective opening round matchups, hearkening back to three seasons ago when both squads were victorious in the first round as the higher-seeded team.

Following the Lady Panthers’ 8-0 romp of Temple on Thursday, the Union men went on the road and scored the program’s first road playoff victory in six years. And while the ladies were highlighted by Madison Yost’s 100th career goal on Thursday, the guys recorded their first-ever playoff win as a No. 4 seed, knocking off the Region 5-AA Champion and 5th ranked Lamar County, 2-1 in overtime.

Yost became the first UCHS player, male or female, to reach 100 career goals. Photos by Todd Forrest.

The Panthers and head coach Leland Sarrell, who won his playoff debut Friday, are now faced with another daunting challenge of historical significance when they visit 10th ranked Gordon Central next week, looking for the mens program’s first Elite 8 appearance in its 23-year history.

With its upset in Barnesville, the Union men reached double-digit wins for the first time since 2013 when TJ Smith was pacing the offense, Justin Eigel anchored the D and Coach Tim Hunter was pulling double-duty. It’s also worth mentioning that, with win No. 10, Union has equaled its combined win total from the previous two seasons.

Senior Brian Smith hopes to keep his UCHS career alive for a little while longer.

Like the current incantation of Panther futbol, the ’13 squad recorded its 10th W on the road in the first round of state before getting demolished by GAC in round two. However — and I say this with all due respect to Union’s next opponent — I don’t think I’m going out on a limb by stating that Gordon Central is NOT on the same level as those nationally ranked Spartan teams from earlier this decade.

In the same boat as the GCHS men are the 6th ranked Lady Panthers, who are looking to defend its home turf and avoid the second round upset when they host the Gordon Central Lady Warriors on Wendesday. And while the GCHS girls aren’t currently ranked in the Eurosport.com Top 10, they are the runner-up of a very talented region, which is something their guys squad couldn’t accomplish as they slipped to the No. 3 seed in 7-AA.

Game times for both Union County contests should be available in the upcoming North Georgia News, which will feature recaps of both wins, plus interviews with the coaches, as well as Yost’s take on reaching the century mark and how she’s enjoying the final days with her teammates.