Liberty County High School’s girls’ soccer team clinched a playoff spot Tuesday after beating Academy of Richmond County, 6-1, in Augusta.
On Thursday, the Lady Panthers lost, 3-0, at South Effingham, meaning they still make the playoffs but likely will be the third- or fourth seeded team.
According to Lady Panther coach Jarvis McArthur, Liberty plays Tuesday at Statesboro. Game time was not available at press time.
“The winner gets the third seed, and the loser will be the fourth seed,” he said, adding his girls will step up to the challenge as they’ve done all season.
The outcome doesn’t change the fact that the Lady Panthers will have to travel either to Cairo or Albany to play a team from Region 1-AAAA. The state playoffs start April 30.
While the Lady Panthers maintained a Region 3A-AAAA record of 2-6, their overall mark of 6-9 may be a better indicator of the young team’s potential for next season. The Lady Panthers will lose Lynda Jimenez to graduation next season, but unless they have a sudden surge of moves or transfers, the majority of the team will be upperclassmen next season.
“I’m very optimistic about next year,” McArthur said. “Our team will be loaded with seniors and juniors. There have been a lot of bright spots this season. Sophomores Tatiana White, Jennifer Garcia and Alexi Limer have stepped their games up. However, we still need to improve our passing skills. Therefore, I’m expecting the girls to work very hard during the nine months of the offseason.”