The Columbus Lady Blue Devils blanked the South Effingham Lady Mustangs 4-0 in the first round of the Class AAA girls soccer playoffs Thursday.

Junior midfielder Jackie Ellis scored twice in the opening 30 minutes on a rainy, windy afternoon at the Woodruff Farm Road Soccer Complex and Sarah Wieczorek added a goal late in the first half for a 3-0 lead.

Dakota Hand converted a direct kick in the second half for the final goal.

South Effingham finished its season at 6-7-3.

The Blue Devils (12-3-2) advanced to play Spalding, a 15-0 winner over Dougherty.

Region 3-AAA No. 3 seed Richmond Hill fell 3-1 to Harris County while region champ St. Vincent’s beat Hardaway 6-3. Harlem, the No. 2 seed, beat LaGrange 3-1. Of the 16 first-round matches, the lower seeds prevailed in only three.