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By Tim Morse

ALBANY — Molly Kate McClearn knew what was coming.

When she saw senior Aubri Hughes in the corner, she knew the senior could be crossing the ball to her and she needed to be ready.

Much to McClearn’s intuition, Hughes did just that. She executed a perfect serve and McClearn knocked the ball into the back of the net for the game’s first goal about 10 minutes into the contest.

Then Hughes drilled a field goal-style goal midway through the first half as Sherwood Christian advanced to the Georgia Independent Christian Athletic Association state soccer championship game after scoring a 2-1 victory over Killian Hill Christian Monday night at Sherwood Academy.

The Lady Eagles (20-3) punched their ticket back to the finals with a dominating defensive performance. Sherwood will be making its third straight appearance in the state championship game after winning back-to-back titles. The Lady Eagles will meet the winner between Calvary Christian and Creekside Christian Saturday at Twelve Oaks Stadium in Hampton.

“This is the opportunity of a lifetime,” Sherwood coach Jayson Davidson said. “How many other sports teams get to do this? These girls have earned it.”

Sherwood wasted little time Monday night. McClearn’s goal was the highlight after Hughes’ perfectly executed cross.

“Aubri has amazing crosses,” McClearn said. “Everytime she has the ball and she’s wide, I expect her to cross. I just happened to be right there and it went into my foot.”

Killian Hill found the scoreboard with about 30 seconds left in the game to cut the lead in half. But by then, it was too little, too late.

After winning the state title in their final year as a member of the Georgia Independent Schools Association and then claiming the GICAA crown last year in the first year of the newly formed athletic association, heading back to the championship game is exactly where the Lady Eagles hoped to end up.

“This never gets old,” McClearn said. “I’m really proud of this team.”