The Gatewood girls soccer team is heading into the state playoffs with confidence and momentum after one of its strongest performances of the season, a double-overtime battle against top-ranked Central Fellowship Christian.
Despite the loss, the Gators are using the match as a measuring stick for what they’re capable of.
Head coach Tracy Harper said the recent 3-2 loss to CFCS — the No. 1 team in the state — may have been a defeat on paper, but it felt like a breakthrough for her squad.
“We took them to double overtime and played probably our best soccer all season,” Harper said. “We played them earlier in the year and lost 6-0, so to go from that to competing like that for 100 minutes, I was extremely proud of them.”
Gatewood ultimately fell in the second overtime period, but the effort reinforced a growing belief within the program that the team is peaking at the right time. Harper credited the demanding schedule her group has faced throughout the year for preparing them for moments like this.
“We’ve played one of the toughest schedules in all of Class AA,” she said. “We’ve taken some hard losses, but they’ve been against the best teams in the state. It’s only been getting us ready for this moment.”
That momentum has carried into postseason positioning. Gatewood landed the No. 8 seed in the final rankings and will host No. 9 First Prep out of Hinesville in a first-round matchup on Friday.
With a win, Gatewood would likely see a familiar powerhouse again in CFCA, but Harper emphasized the importance of staying focused on the immediate task.
“We can’t look ahead,” she said. “We’ve got to take care of Friday first. But the girls are confident right now and playing really good soccer.”
A key factor in Gatewood’s late-season surge has been its leadership core, anchored by a strong mix of upperclassmen and emerging contributors. Harper pointed to the Mendez family connection — sisters Kimberly and Kathy Mendez, along with their cousin Kasey Mendez — as part of the team’s competitive edge and chemistry.
Alongside them, Lily Huskins, Lily Piper, Lauren Paxson, and Natalie Sills, among others, have also played major roles in the team’s growth and consistency.
“Our seniors and juniors have been here before,” Harper said. “They understand what it takes, and they’re helping the younger players settle in and trust the process.”
As Gatewood prepares for its playoff opener, the message from the sideline remains steady: trust the progress, stay composed, and keep building on what has already been a strong finish to the season.
“I’ve told them from day one I have all the confidence in them,” Harper said. “We’d put them up against anybody in the state right now.”