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By SEAN ROCCA

For The Washington Daily News

Southside’s girls’ soccer team lost to Triangle Math & Science of Cary 1-0 in the first round of the 1A state playoffs. The score was 0-0 after 80 minutes of regulation play. They played two 10 minute periods during which the score remained tied. After that, they played two five minute periods that were sudden death, but neither team scored. With the score still being 0-0, penalty kicks were next to decide the match.

Each coach chose five players to shoot in an alternating sequence at the same goal. After the first three players missed, Sesina Beraki found the back of the net for a 1-0 TMS lead. Southside answered to even the score with a goal from Lilly Davis, but the Tigers retook the lead with a goal from Leanna Hudson.

Southside needed to score to keep the season alive and junior Emma Silva came through with a huge shot to make the score 2-2. TMS had the final chance and senior Julia Jett buried the winning goal into the lower left side of the net to secure the victory for the Tigers. Southside (8-12-2) was the 16 seed while Triangle Math & Science (7-9) was the 17 seed. The Tigers move on to play at number one seed Woods Charter of Chapel Hill Thursday.

“I’m thrilled with how we played. I’m not disappointed at all,” Southside head coach Jay Petty said. “Both teams were evenly matched and a mix of nerves and mistakes were the difference in the game. Fatigue was also a factor and by the time PKs came around we were exhausted. We practice penalty kicks every day in practice, but it’s a little different when your season is on the line.  We competed our hardest and took the match as far as it could go. I’m very proud of our effort and our season overall.”

Davis led the Seahawks with 19 goals on the season. Silva had eight and Selena Mondragon scored seven.  All three are juniors and Petty is confident that the team will make a run next season. The team only has two seniors graduating and with a young team, he believes they will only get better next year. “Our passing has improved tremendously this year. I will need to rebuild the backline but we expect good numbers to be added next year and to have a talented team,” Petty said.

#24 Northside (0-10) lost its first round game, 10-1, in Smithfield against #9 Neuse Charter, while #25 Washington (13-6-1) fell at #8 Farmville Central, 1-0 in the 2A playoffs. The Pam Pack lost twice to the Jaguars in Eastern Plains Conference play, 2-1 in double overtime and 2-0.