The Alexander girls soccer team is Elite 8 bound after a commanding 4-1 win over Houston 
County on Tuesday in Warner Robins.
Junior midfielder Brielle Delgado led the way in the second-round state playoff match with a hat trick, upping her total to 33 goals for the season. Sophomore Emory Pitts also scored for the Cougars and now has 36 goals for the season.
Coach Jason Cann also gave a "big shout out to the defense," which came up big in Tuesday's match despite missing two of four starting defenders. Sophomore goalkeeper Reece Holmes had several big saves in goal, Cann said.
"I'm just really proud of these girls," Cann added. "They have fought through key injuries and adversity to get to the Elite 8."
Other key contributors this season include junior midfielder Adelaide Kelly, five goals and 12 assists; senior captains Mia Showalter, defender, and Bella Small, forward; and Holmes, who has nine shutouts on the season.
The Cougars are now 15-4 overall, finishing the regular season second in Region 5-AAAAA and ranked No. 9 in the state. They defeated Lakeside-Evans 2-0 in the first round of the playoffs.
Alexander will now face Region 6-AAAAA champion Pope in Marietta on Monday in the Elite 8 round.
