RINGGOLD, Ga. - Heavy hearts led to an emotional start for the Heritage girls' soccer team in its Georgia Class AAA first-round state playoff matchup against Riverwood.
Coach Stacy Pickens just wished that could have lasted a little longer.
Despite being shut down for most of the first half, the Lady Raiders pulled through with two goals in the final five minutes of the half. They added another in the final period and claimed a 3-0 victory Friday at Heritage.
Forty-eight hours after the city of Ringgold was nearly destroyed by a flurry of tornadoes, the Lady Generals were back on the field.
"We were in the game," Pickens said. "The girls believed they could win, but I think over time, they wore us down mentally and physically.
"Once we gave up the second goal, I think there was an emotional shift."
Heritage goalkeeper Amber Burton made 21 saves as the Lady Raiders (12-5-2) fired shots from all angles.
"It's the best she's played all year," Pickens said. "Without Amber, it could have been ugly. She kept us in the game and gave us a chance."
After knocking on the door, Alexis DeGroot scored for Riverwood, glancing a shot off the side post in the 35th minute for a 1-0 edge. Two minutes later, Callie Bergin crossed the ball in to Callie Johnson, who fired a low shot past Burton for the two-goal halftime lead.
Despite the halftime deficit, Pickens felt good about her team's chances if they could score first in the second half, but it was the exact opposite, as Riverwood's DeGroot fed Bergin for the final goal in the 50th minute.
"We've had to do it a few times," Pickens said of coming back. "Those first five minutes are always crucial."
The Lady Generals wound up 15-2.
Said Riverwood coach Donald Macoy: "They played with a lot of emotion. I thought they would with all that had gone on, but after a while we were able to settle down and play our game.
"Our last 10 games, we've really started to go. I'm happy with how we played."