Canes win 2-0, advance to Elite Eight

The Cartersville boys soccer team defeated Shaw High School of Columbus Wednesday evening at Weinman Stadium to advance to the GHSA Class AAAA quarterfinals.

Pedro Ghanem scored a goal with only a few seconds remaining in the first half to give the Canes a 1-0 advantage at the intermission.

The lead was extended in the first two minutes of the second half when Cesar Abeja scored off a feed from Pedro Robledo for the game’s only other tally.

Meanwhile, the Canes’ defenders and keeper Cade Roberts kept the visiting Raiders (10-5) off the scoreboard the entire night.

Cartersville (16-1-2) will play Druid Hills Saturday with the site determined by coin toss since both teams are No. 1 seeds. Druid Hills (14-6) defeated Northwest Whitfield Wednesday night, 2-1. The Red Devils are champions of Region 4-AAAA.

The three other quarterfinal match-ups Saturday in Class AAAA include: St. Pius at Blessed Trinity; Southeast Whitfield vs. Richmond Academy; and Marist at Oconee County.

The Cartersville/Druid Hills winner will play the St. Pius/Blessed Trinity winner in the state semifinals.