Richmond Hill’s girls soccer team is the state’s only undefeated team in Class 7A. It is also unranked.

So, when the Wildcats (14-0) take on No. 7 Brookwood (14-3) at 6 p.m. next Monday at Wildcats Stadium they’ll not only be playing for a third straight trip to the Elite Eight in the GHSA state playoffs but also for pride and recognition.

The Region 7A champions — it’s their second straight region title having won Region 2-6A last year — posted a routine looking 7-0 first round win over Westlake (4-8) Tuesday night at Wildcats Stadium to earn the right to take on the Broncos who beat Hillgrove, 1-0.

It was Richmond Hill’s seventh straight shutout win and 12th of the season.

The Wildcats lead all Class 7A schools in fewest goals allowed having given up only four. Calvary Day School scored three in a 6-3 game and St. Vincent’s Academy scored in a 5-1 Richmond Hill win.

The victory also continued Richmond Hill’s remarkable playoff run as it marked the ninth straight year the Wildcats have got past the first round. They last lost in the opening round of the state playoffs in 2013. There was no tournament in 2020 due to COVID.

“I’m always happy with a 7-0 win,” first-year coach Kelly Anderson said. “The girls played down a little bit but we’re definitely satisfied to come out with a win. I’m very proud of them and the season they’ve had.”

The Wildcats, thanks to early goals from seniors Karli Eubanks and Kayla Jackson, jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead, expanded it to 3-0 at the half and never looked back. Freshman goalie Camryn Martinez barely broke a sweat as her defenders helped protect the goal as if it was a loaded Brinks truck.

Anderson has an excellent blend in her starting lineup which against Westlake included six seniors, one junior, one sophomore and three freshmen.

Kayla Jackson, who has signed to play at Jacksonville University, had a pair of goals and freshman Ella Peterson also scored. Jackson and Peterson are the team’s primary scoring threats with Jackson having 14 goals and 13 assists following the last regular season game against Hilton Head and Peterson checking in with 11 goals and nine assists. Jackson and Anderson both said the key to the Wildcats’ success this season has been a remarkable team chemistry that has produced and promoted a family atmosphere.

“I think the key to our success has been our friendship,” said Jackson who was also a standout in flag football. “This team is so close. We’re all together… we all work together, we play together and we practice hard.”

And there’s the matter of that air tight defense.

“The key to our defense is communication,” Jackson said. “Communication in soccer is very important. Defense is instinct, knowing what’s up and communicating with each other and locking it down back there.”

While Jackson and Peterson are the primary offensive threats Anderson said she has several players who are capable scorers.

“We’ve got kids all over the field who can score,” Anderson said. “We play together as a family. Individual skills are important but when you come together and play as a team and family and help one another that makes a difference every single game.”