By Kevin Eckleberry

kevin.eckleberry@lagrangenews.com

LAGRANGE – Two first-half goals were enough for the LaGrange Grangers, who outlasted Northside 2-1 on Wednesday evening at Callaway Stadium.

The Grangers are tuning up for the state soccer tournament that begins later this month, and they will be at home after finishing second in Region 5-AAAA.

While the Grangers hadn’t played a game since March 29, they’ve been busy practicing, and they got together nearly every day over spring break.

“We had a tough week of practice preparing them for the playoffs,” LaGrange coach Keita Placide said. “We trained hard. And the kids, you could tell they gave their all (against Northside). It

It was an awesome game for both sides. I thought the game easily could have been 3-3, but I’m happy.”

The first goal came off the foot of Max Halcomb, who scored on a free kick from about 30 yards away with 26:23 left in the first half.

Three minutes later, the Grangers padded their lead.

Halcomb took a corner kick, and John McDonald headed the ball into the net, and LaGrange led 2-0, which was the score at the half.

The Patriots scored early in the first half to get within one, but they were unable to notch the tying goal, with goal keeper Butler Evans making some critical saves.

“He made some spectacular saves,” Placide said. “He was in tune.”

In Wednesday’s girls’ game, LaGrange and Northside fought to a 1-1 tie.

The Lady Grangers were trailing 1-0 at the half, but they came out strong in the second half, and Maggie Asbell scored the tying goal with 36:35 left in the game.

Both teams had some good looks at the net the rest of the way, but it remained tied at one.

With 11:15 remaining, LaGrange goal keeper Maurie White made a nice diving save to keep Northside from taking the lead.

LaGrange’s teams will be at home against Kendrick on Monday in their final games before the state playoffs.

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