Lady Pirates make school history as repeat champions

By Rachel McDaniel
news@pikecountygeorgia.com

The Pike County High School Lady Pirates traveled to Atlanta on May 13 to defend their GHSA AA State Championship title and brought home the trophy and title for the second straight year.

The Lady Pirates scored after an early offensive onslaught that started only eight minutes into the match. The Pike team had three consecutive corner kicks, with the Lady Colts fending off the first two. The third, however, hit home as freshman Mason Wood sent in a perfect pass that junior Piper Jones knocked in with the back of her head just more than nine minutes into the match. Mason had six assists for the season and four goals and Piper had 16 assists and six goals.

The Lady Colts focused on defense after the Pirates went up 1-0 and kept Pike from scoring again until the Lady Pirates essentially secured its second consecutive title as Jacey Fillingim, the leading scorer for the Pirates, made it 2-0 by knocking in the rebound from her close miss off Coahulla Creek keeper Elizabeth Brito. Jacey had a total of 32 goals for the season with 12 assists.

The Lady Pirates had an incredible offensive showing for their 2026 championship season, outscoring opponents 142-13 with an undefeated region record and a 20-3 overall record, including the playoffs and title game.

The Pike County High School 2026 Championship Lady Pirates varsity soccer team includes Jacqueline Aguilar, Valeria Aguilar, Juliana ‘Possum’ Brown, Janna Collins, Laycee Eubanks, Jacey Fillingim, Kennedy Greer, Kennedy Hawkins, Piper Jones, Dixie LaCount, Sophie Moss, Carington Shaw, Maddy Smith, Millie Stephens, Abby Strange, Morgan Wakeman, Mayson Wood, head coach Justin O’Steen and coach Layla Eubanks.

Jacey Fillingim led scoring for the Lady Pirates with 32 goals for the season, followed by Sophie Moss with 20, Carington Shaw with 16, Valeria Aguilar with 12 and Maddie Smith and Dixie LaCounty with 11 each. Sophie Moss led the team with 22 assists, followed by Carington Shaw with 20, Julianna ‘Possum’ Brown with 17 and Piper Jones with 16.

Pike was equally as strong defensively as keeper Morgan Wakeman had 65 saves for the season with 14 shutouts.