Picking up where they left off last season, both Putnam County High School soccer squads are ranked number one in 2A Region 4.
The boys’ team bowed out with a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Vidalia in the first round of state championships last year. Coming into this season, determined not only to reach the championship round but go much further, the PCHS War Eagles welcomed two new coaches Michael Taylor and Jared Coranado, a former PCHS student, to the boys’ squad.
The Lady War Eagles under head coach Brandi Barling and assistant Jessica Castillo hope to make it to state championships, too. The Lady Eagles finished last season with a tough loss to Lovett in the second round of state playoffs, but that only serves as motivation for this year’s Lady War Eagles.
The War Eagles are 7-0-2, including 4-0 in region play this year. Ties came from Morgan County and LOA, both non-region opponents, but both also Lake Country rivals.
The Putnam Boys have really proven themselves as promising competitors on their way to the state competition, but the Lady Eagles will not be outshined with a 6-2-1 and 5-0 region record. Both losses were non-region to Morgan and Monroe Metro.
The girls’ team has won most of its games by a long shot, demonstrating strength and determination. Most recently, the Lady Eagles hosted four region contests at the newly completed War Eagle Stadium.
Putnam goalkeepers Preston Wilson and Cherish Rowell have both been praised by their respective coaches, credited throughout the season for helping their teams by keeping opponents’ scoring efforts at bay.
The Lady Eagles welcomed regional competitors in Johnson, Laney, WACO (Washington County) and RCTCM (Richmond County Technical Career Magnet School).
Johnson fell to the Eagles 7-0 and then the Eagles proved to be much more than the Laney Wildcats could handle with a 10-0 victory.
Last Tuesday, the Waco Tigers came into town looking for a fight and found the Eagles definitely ready. The contest was tied 2-2 as regulation ended, so on to extra periods the teams went, where it ended with a 3-3 tie, forcing the game to a shootout.
WACO opened the shootout with a goal, but Putnam senior Rowell made certain no others would score, as the Lady Eagles stepped up and scored three in a row to lock in another PC victory. RCTCM of Augusta was up next this past Thursday and in true Eagle fashion, a 10-0 victory was delivered to the Lady White Tigers.
Meanwhile, the boys’ squad may play after the Lady Eagles, but they will come in second to no one.
The Panthers of Johnson visited the Eagles and were handed a 7-0 loss while the Laney Wildcats fell 10-0 last week.
The Washington County Tigers hoped to fare better, but the Eagles maintained dominance with a 10-0 victory.
Closing out the homestay, RCTCM White Tigers suffered the same fate as those who came before with an 11-0 loss to the Eagles.
The Putnam County Eagles outscored opponents 21-0 this week, led by Bryan Canales (5 goals) and Andrew Hildreth (4 goals).
Not only has senior keeper Wilson led the defense in keeping opponents without a goal in 6 games this season, but he also has scored two goals for the Eagles on penalty kicks.
Both Putnam County soccer teams remain focused and looking forward to a five-game road trip that begins March 13 with lake rival Greene County, followed by three region games in the Augusta area, including Westside on March 16, Thomson on March 21, and Josey on March 23, with all girls’ matches beginning at 5:30 p.m., followed by the boys’ games at 7:30 p.m.