Caroline Vickers (15) passes to Lupe Osorio as a Westlake defender attempts to intervene.

TIFTON – Tift County moved on to the second round of the state Class AAAAAAA soccer playoffs Monday with a 4-2 win over Westlake.

Anslee Bassett scored two goals in the first half and the Lady Devils led 3-0 before Westlake lit up the scoreboard.

“That was closer than I wanted,” said Tift head coach Zac Martin. His team controlled the ball for nearly all of the contest. Both of Westlake’s goals came in the last 15 minutes of the game after the Lady Devils built up a big lead.

Bassett’s first score game at 31:47 when her shot near midfield sailed over the keeper’s head and into the net.

Tift came close several times over the next few minutes. Betsy Brooks’ attempt went wide right after a pass from Maggie Clark. Emma Choate barely missed getting her head on a corner kick. Diving saves prevented goals by Lupe Osorio and Choate.

The frustrations ended, though, with 2:10 remaining in the half. Clark zoomed ahead of a defender and two Lady Devils soared to the goal. Either could have scored on the pass by Clark, but it was Bassett who got her foot on it, increasing the lead to 2-0.

After halftime, it did not take long for Tift to increase the lead.

Clark nearly scored on a rebound of a Choate free kick to open the period. Two minutes later, Choate had another try near the crease. This time, the kick went in and at 36:35, the Lady Devils were ahead by three goals.

Tift settled into its defense after the third goal. Brooke Smith kept the shutout going with a leaping tip save with 21 minutes left to play.

“She came up big with that one,” said Martin.

The save seemed to give Westlake momentum.

The Lady Lions scored with 12:50 left.

Tift immediately rebounded with an insurance goal.

Osorio had a shot blocked by a defender in front of goal. She got the ball back and found a wide open Clark, who kicked it home at 3:20. Westlake had not given up for the evening, however.

Taylor Oliver snuck a shot over Smith’s head and into goal at 3:05.

Martin said the brief breakdown came because his team was concentrating harder on the clock. He said it being in the playoffs contributed to the clock watching.

He did get strong performances from Choate and Alexandria Heard. Both had missed time because of injuries. Choate played despite being sick.

Perhaps the biggest impact belonged to Clark. She featured heavily in Tift’s attack.

“Maggie was the difference maker for us tonight,” he said.

Tift advances to the second round, which is slated for next week. They will play another home game, either against Marietta or Roswell.