Girls soccer controlled every aspect of the game last Thursday en route to another shutout win. Southeast Bulloch fell to the Lady Panthers 9-0 in the second round of the state playoffs.

Sophomore Kendra Ivaska led the Lady Panthers with four goals. Senior Mia Hargrove scored twice.

“We were very controlled today,” head coach John Bowen said. “I don’t think we were ever not in control of the game.”

Starr’s Mill had the main possession of the ball throughout the entire game, not allowing a goal. Southeast Bulloch was outmatched on both sides of the field.

“We do have to make sure we are on the front foot and pushing hard,” Bowen said. “Willing to battle and fight for everything as opposed to sitting back. As long as we have one more goal, we are good.”

Within the first half, Starr’s Mill was up 7-0. Ivaska led the offense with four goals at halftime. 

“We’ve been working on a lot on possession,” Hargrove said. “On the field you can see that we like to keep the ball and pass it around a lot. When we do that we can transition well and get a bunch of goals.”

Only three goals away from putting the mercy rule into effect, Starr’s Mill did not let up in the second half. However, the game ended at 9-0.

“We’ve played a lot of really competitive games throughout the regular season and we’ve definitely had to work for some of our wins,” Ivaska said. “As well as we’ve lost a couple of games. So, I think we’re really prepared for our late season playoff games”.

Starr’s Mill advances into the quarterfinals where they will host North Oconee. The match begins at 6 p.m. tonight.