'It's how we finish': Aquinas girls soccer looks to defend GHSA Class A D-II state title

Two years ago, Aquinas girls soccer finished the season without a win.

Last year, the Fightin’ Irish were improbable state champions .

Tuesday they have a chance to defend that title.

Aquinas knocked off rival Towns County 1-0 Thursday in the Georgia High School Association Class A D-II semifinals to earn another trip to Macon. Senior midfielder Landry Washington propelled the Irish with the game’s lone goal.

After graduating five seniors from last years’ team, the already difficult job of defending a state championship became that much tougher.

“Same thing I said last year, perseverance and toughness. This team had it in spades,” Aquinas coach Sean Brandes said. “It was not an easy season. We played some hard teams, had ups and downs. We saw the effort out there tonight and got to give Towns credit. That’s one of the gutsiest teams we’ve played against. I’ve got to give credit to my coaches.”

Aquinas will face Lake Oconee Academy Tuesday, May 7 at 5 p.m. at Mercer University. The Titans handed the Irish their lone Region 8 loss during the regular season.

Aquinas girls soccer takes the long road to Macon

It wasn’t all sunshine and roses for the Irish, either. Aquinas (8-5) suffered non-region losses to Lakeside, Westminster Schools of Augusta, Richmond Academy and Grovetown. Their only region defeat came to Lake Oconee Academy, but they’ve been perfect at the right time.

Aquinas has yet to allow a postseason goal, getting past Mt. Zion (5-0), Portal (4-0) and Towns County (1-0). Brandes’ message to his team before the season now looks almost prophetic.

“We knew the schedule was going to be tough. I said it’s not how we start, it’s how we finish,” he said. “It was rough. As a small school, we don’t have our girls out early to practice. We’ve played some quality teams and I said, ‘Don’t judge us until the end of the season.’ You saw what they did tonight and we’re going back to state.”

Seniors Washington, Katie Welsh, Emma Kate Noegel, Amelia Donald will be looking to go out in style, much like their Class of 2023 teammates.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: 'It's how we finish': Aquinas girls soccer looks to defend GHSA Class A D-II state title