In a heart-stopping encounter at SportsMed field last night, the Randolph Raiders Boys Soccer team clinched another dramatic victory over the Hazel Green Trojans in the second round of the state playoffs. With the win, the Raiders advanced to the highly anticipated third round, marking a significant milestone in their quest for state.

The match unfolded as a tense battle from the opening whistle. Despite Randolph's dominance in possession and offensive pressure in the first half, it was Hazel Green who drew first blood early in the second half, capitalizing on an opportunity to take the lead.

However, the Raiders refused to be deterred. A pivotal moment came when Tristan Morse, a former JV standout known for his late-game heroics, delivered a cross that found the back of the net, leveling the score and reigniting Randolph's hopes of victory.

As the game intensified, both teams traded blows in a physical match. With the outcome hanging in the balance, goalkeeper Luke Pitsinos emerged as a hero with a crucial save in the dying seconds of extra time, preserving Randolph's playoff hopes and sending the match into a nail-biting penalty shootout.

In a testament to the drama of playoff soccer, the shootout unfolded with everyone on their feet. Despite the Hazel Green goalkeeper's valiant efforts to deny Randolph's penalty attempts, the Raiders remained steadfast, converting their chances. The decisive moment arrived when Hazel Green's second penalty taker faltered, sending his shot soaring over the crossbar.

With the stage set, George Duprés, JJ Chung, George Smith, Henry Green, and finally Desmond Stearns stepped up to deliver their crack at penalties, sending Randolph to a victory and igniting celebrations among players and the student body.

When asked about his thoughts on the win, Head Coach Santos praised his team's grit and unity in the face of adversity. "It wasn't our prettiest game," admitted Santos, "but this team has a remarkable ability to grind out victories. I couldn't be prouder of their resilience and belief in each other."

The Raiders now turn their attention to a familiar foe: Fort Payne. Despite past setbacks against the Wildcat squad, Randolph enters this pivotal showdown with renewed confidence and a burning desire to rewrite history. For the 5th year in a row, Fort Payne

stands in the way of a Final Four Appearance. The Raiders are a program known for playing at John Hunt late in the season. Ever since being promoted to 6A due to the competitive balance factor, the Raiders have yet to reach their final destination. They will look to change those fortunes this Saturday Night.

For Coach Santos and his determined squad, the journey to the Final Four represents more than just a goal—it's a legacy to uphold and a testament to the culture of Randolph soccer. With belief, pride, and resilience as their guiding principles, the Raiders stand poised to seize their moment and etch their names in greatness. As Santos declared upon taking the reins of the program, "This is a program known for playing for state titles." With one more victory, that vision inches closer to reality.

The Raiders travel to Fort Payne High School for a Round Three matchup this Saturday night at 7:00 PM.