ROSWELL — A season of promise ended with disappointment and frustration for Norcross.

The Blue Devils were ousted in the first round of the boys state soccer tournament for the third straight year and this ending probably hurt the most.

Norcross returned seven starters from a year ago and featured 11 seniors this season. But a couple of tough losses dropped the Blue Devils to the fourth seed from Region 7-AAAAA and that was costly.

No. 4-ranked Centennial, the Region 6-AAAAA champions, scored twice late in the first half and defeated No. 9-ranked Norcross 3-0 on Tuesday night at the Knights’ home field, known as The Fortress.

Centennial’s defense proved impenetrable as the Blue Devils (12-6) failed to convert any of their limited scoring opportunities and lost for the fifth time in their last seven matches after a 10-1 start.

The victory was the 100th as Centennial coach for Phil Thomas, a former Parkview standout who took his team to the Class AAAAA title game last year. The Knights (13-4) will host Brookwood in the second round next Tuesday.

Centennial scored the only goal it would need against Norcross with 11:30 left in the first half after the Blue Devils’ Taylor Krek drew his second yellow card trying to defend elusive Carlos McCrary.

Amin El-Shami converted on the free kick from just outside the box, beating Norcross goalkeeper Jose Cedillo.

The real backbreaker for the Blue Devils, though, came with 43.6 seconds remaining before intermission.

A long boot by Centennial goal keeper Brendan Moore was deflected on an attempted Norcross header and McCrary buried a shot in the back of the net.

Norcross’ best scoring chances came midway in the second half, but neither paid off with the goal that would have put the Blue Devils back in the match.

Alex Hernandez shot just high after a nice pass from Ryan King, the ball landing on the top of the goal netting. Then King was stopped from straight on in a nice save by Moore a few minutes later.

Multiple yellow cards preceded Centennial’s final goal, which was scored by Mason Herndon with 1:46 left in the match.

The previous two seasons, Norcross had lost by a goal in the first round of the state tournament. This time it was close losses late in the regular season that left the Blue Devils with a draw they couldn’t overcome.

Centennial lost 1-0 to Collins Hill in the Class AAAAA title match a year ago. This season the Knights hope to take that extra step and bring home the trophy.