ATLANTA, Ga. - Southeast Whitfield coach Jamison Griffin knew it was going to take the perfect storm for his third-ranked Raider soccer team to pull out a victory on the road against the No. 1-ranked team in the state, and he almost had it.

The Raiders held a lead for most of the first half against St. Pius X, but fouls, yellow cards, cramps and frustration became their undoing as the Lions claimed a 3-1 victory behind a raucous crowd to advance to the Class AAA state title game.

St. Pius X (19-0-1) will host second-ranked Woodward Academy, a 9-2 winner over ninth-ranked Cairo, in the state championship game Saturday at 7:30.