White Hall entered their game against North Pulaski needing a win to ensure a #2 seed in the state playoffs. They got it, a suitable gift for their seniors and head coach Marc Oudin, all of whom were playing their final home game. White Hall started off the game with eleven of their twelve seniors and foreign exchange students starting. Only Oudin’s daughter Caroline (a team captain and regular starter) started on the bench. That lineup held early, but gave up a lone goal around ten minutes in. At that point, coach Oudin pulled the seniors and put in the regular starters. White Hall junior Marleigh Pearce quickly equalized the score after a brilliant set of passes between herself and freshman standout Corea Lowery. The half remained fairly even afterwards, with junior Kaylie Doggett of White Hall narrowly missing the go-ahead score. Not long after, sophomore Ashayla Haynes found that goal for White Hall, just her second of the year, after a long sprint down the field. Despite a late charge from North Pulaski, White hall entered half time up 2 goals to 1.
In the second half, North Pulaski temporarily equalized the game at 2-2. White Hall retook their lead to 3-2 on a goal by sophomore Maria Ramirez. North Pulaski again tried to come back, but fell short, thanks to heroics by White Hall defensive stalwarts Brooks Davis, Martina Bailey, Josey Bearden, Robyn Koonce, Goalkeeper Molly Tibbs, and even Ramirez, pulled back into the defense late in the game. With their win, White Hall not only sent their coach and seniors off right, but secured the #2 Seed out of the 5A Southeast conference. They will next playi n the state playoffs Thursday at Burns Park at 10 a.m. against the #3 seed out of the 5A East conference.