Islands and Savannah Arts boys soccer teams reach state finals for first time

It came down to penalty kicks for both the Islands and Savannah Arts boys soccer teams on Friday night and each team pulled out victories to earn spots in the GHSA state finals — a first for both programs.

Islands came out on top of visiting Jefferson after a scoreless battle through regulation and two overtimes, winning 4-3 on PKs as the crowd at the Shark Tank erupted in a raucous celebration. Islands improved to 21-2 on the season and will face East Hall (13-8) at Duluth High School on Tuesday, May12th, at 7:30 p.m.

Savannah Arts went on the road and the Panthers beat Columbus, the top ranked team in Class 2A in the GHSA Post Season Power Rankings, in sudden death on PKs, after being tied 1-1 through regulation and overtime. Savannah Arts (16-6) will face region rival Pierce County (14-5) on Wednesday, May 13th, at St. Pius X in Atlanta at 7:30 p.m.

Islands had a defensive battle with Jefferson, a team that knocked the host Sharks out last year in the quarterfinals with a 1-0 victory.

The Sharks had their chances, but Jefferson was a strong opponent that didn't wilt under pressure.

It came down PKs and Islands switched keepers from junior Isaac Schultz, who had the shutout through regulation and overtime, to senior Larkham Reidlinger, who is known for his strong play in net against penalty kicks.

Jefferson keeper Caleb Farris made the first save, diving to his left to save a penalty kick from Colt Lawhorn, but Jefferson's Christian Bowman missed the next kick up high as things evened out.

Reidlinger came through with a diving save to his left on the fifth PK by Jefferson's Andrew Sorah, which set up Islands sophomore Andrew McLaughlin, who snuck one by Farris for the game winner.

"It wasn't the prettiest kick, but it got the job done," McLaughlin said. "This was special for us because we're the first team from Islands to ever make it to the state championship game. We played a great game for two hours, and I'm just blessed to be part of this team."

Islands coach Justin Brantley managed his squad with a cool, calm demeanor during a stressful match and his team became the first in any sport at Islands to earn a berth in a state championship game.

"Coming into this game, we have played Georgia Military College which is in the Final Four in Class A, we played Savannah Arts, which is in the finals in Class 2A, and River Ridge, which is in the Final Four in 5A and we won them all," said Brantley, in his fifth year leading the program. "So we've face really good competition all season long, so that when we play games like this — we can step up and do the job."