SPRINGFIELD -- Glynn Academy's girls soccer team maintained its grip on its lofty rankings despite having its hands full with Effingham County on Thursday.

The Lady Rebels played tough against the Lady Red Terrors, Georgia's top team and the No. 2 squad in the nation, according to Maxpreps.

"We played hard and did what we could against, frankly, a very good team," Effingham County coach Blake Kessler said after his team's 2-0 defeat at Rebel Field.

The win put Glynn Academy in prime position to win the Region 2-AAAAAA title. The Lady Red Terrors edged Effingham County 2-1 on March 13.

"Looking at how other teams in the region are playing against them, I'm very proud of how my girls played against them," Kessler said. "Our girls, with a much smaller, younger team, gave them a good fight. We allowed a couple of unfortunate goals from defensive mistakes but that happens."

The Lady Rebels still have a chance to accomplish a rare feat. A second-place region would clinch them a home game in the opening round of the state tournament.

"This is a tough loss but right now are trying to focus on everything we can do to beat Richmond Hill the second time we play them," Kessler said.

See the April 4 edition of the Effingham Herald for more details.