Warren Central’s task Tuesday evening proved a little too difficult.

The Lady Vikes had to beat archrival Vicksburg by at least three goals to advance to the Class 5A state playoffs, and for a while appeared on their way to doing so.

But Vicksburg scored two second-half goals to erase two-goal deficits twice in a 4-3 Lady Vikes’ victory.

Vicksburg will now advance to the playoffs, where it will meet No. 1 Tupelo in northeast Mississippi.

&#8220We weren’t going to focus on the three goals to make the playoffs,” WC coach Kristin Gough said. &#8220We were going to focus on playing hard and the girls came out and did that.”

VHS played Tupelo in December and lost 3-1, but was without five starters. VHS coach Kevin Manton said the Lady Wave is beatable.

&#8220If we go up there ready to play and play hard and have a little luck, we can win,” Manton said. &#8220But to do that, we will have to play well on the road.”

The Missy Gators lost Thursday to Madison Central, then Saturday to Oak Grove. On Tuesday, the team came out flat again, falling behind quickly.

Mary Clare Scurria gave WC a quick 1-0 lead before Diari Gilliam tied the game at 1. In the closing seconds of the first half, Liza Kate Chaney lofted a shot from about 35 yards out that found the back of the net for a 2-1 WC advantage.

Warren Central extended the lead to 3-1 in the 10th minute of the second half when Kristine Fischenich booted in a rebound.

With the excitement building and Warren Central controlling the flow of the game, Vicksburg responded three minutes later when Jill Rush planted a shot into the net and cut the deficit to one goal.

But again, WC responded with a goal by Julie Waddle in the 26th minute to again put the lead at two goals with 14 minutes to play.

Vicksburg dashed WC’s playoff hopes 10 minutes after Waddle’s goal when Holly Head scored on a header off a corner kick from Lucy Matthews.

(B) Vicksburg 5, WC 0

Vicksburg completed a season sweep of Division 3-5A teams with a shutout of Warren Central.

Cameron Curtis nettted a hat trick with three goals and Ryan Ferrington scored two goals, including the first score three minutes into the game.

The Gators led 2-0 at halftime before pouring it on in the second half.

The Gators are scheduled to play at Northwest Rankin on Saturday before hosting Starkville in the playoffs on Tuesday.