Christ the King wins third straight 1A
MATTHEWS – The Christ the King Crusaders completed their trifecta with a 5-0 win against Woods Charter on Saturday at the Mecklenburg County SportsPlex in the NCHSAA 1A Women’s Soccer Championship Match.
The win marks the third year in a row that the Crusaders have beaten the Wolves in the title game. They won 3-0 in 2022 and 1-0 last year.
On Saturday, the Crusaders led 3-0 at the break thanks to three goals from Addison Angela Peirce in the first 17 minutes. The freshman added another in the second half to finish with four goals. Brianna Pacholski, who added a goal and an assist for the Crusaders was named the Most Valuable Player.
Woods Charter finished the season 22-5-1 and 1A Runner Up for the third straight year. Christ the King ended up 19-3 on the year and won their final 13 games. The Crusaders are now 3-0 in Championship Matches while the Wolves are 0-3.
The NCHSAA is committed to promoting and highlighting outstanding sportsmanship and has partnered with North Carolina Farm Bureau Insurance to recognize one athlete from each team who has displayed the ideals of sportsmanship throughout the year. The 2024 NC Farm Bureau Sportsmanship Award winners for the 1A Soccer Championships were Gabbie Feaster from Christ the King and Wesley Oliver from Woods Charter.
Seaforth wins first Women’s Soccer title in Penalty Kicks
MATTHEWS – The Seaforth Hawks outlasted the Pine Lake Prep in penalty kicks on Saturday night at the Mecklenburg County SportsPlex to win the first NCHSAA Women’s Soccer State Championship in program history.
The match was tied 0-0 after regulation and still tied 0-0 after 30 minutes of extra time. Five rounds of penalty kicks still weren’t enough to decide a winner, either. In the ninth round of penalty kicks, the Hawks edged in front 6-5.
In the shootout for Pine Lake Prep, Maddyson Kerley, Braelyn Iosue, Kendall Love, Elizabeth Perri, and Ansley Nixdorf all converted from the spot. For Seaforth, Emma O’Rourke, Regan Willauer, Katherine Leonard, Sam Tucker, Caitlin Erman, and Elizabeth Platt all found the net.
Goalkeeper Leonard not only converted her penalty kick but also saved four of Pine Lake Prep’s attempts, including the final two, setting the stage for Platt to net the game-winner. Leonard was named Most Valuable Player for her efforts.
Both programs were making their Championship Match debut on Saturday night. The Hawks finished the year 25-1-1 while the Pride ended the year 20-2-1.
The NCHSAA is committed to promoting and highlighting outstanding sportsmanship and has partnered with North Carolina Farm Bureau Insurance to recognize one athlete from each team who has displayed the ideals of sportsmanship throughout the year. The 2024 NC Farm Bureau Sportsmanship Award winners for the 2A Soccer Championships were Tillie Wilson from Seaforth and Elizabeth Perri from Pine Lake Prep.
Jacksonville tops South Point in Penalty Kicks for 3A Championship
MATTHEWS – After 110 minutes of scoreless action, the Jacksonville Cardinals beat the South Point Red Raiders 3-2 in penalty kicks to win their first NCHSAA Women’s Soccer Championship at the Mecklenburg County SportsPlex on Saturday.
The Cardinals looked to have scored the would-be game-winner late as Riley Connelly found the net off of a corner kick, but it was called back for goalkeeper interference. The match proceeded to overtime, and after 30 more scoreless minutes, penalty kicks.
In the shootout, Jacksonville keeper Reagan Donnelly tipped the first attempt from South Point over the bar, but South Point keeper Isabella Goodwin saved Macey Helmstetter’s attempt as well. Hannah Throtrup and Bryleigh Nelson both converted in round 2. In the third round, Claire Hauck bounced off the post, and Landyn Wessels converted.
In the fourth round, Azumi Oka and Lexi Birtwistle both scored to make the tally 2-2 going into the final round. Donnelly made another leaping save on Elle Blee’s attempt to win the Championship.
Donnelly was named Most Valuable Player for her performance.
The Cardinals finished the season 21-1-4 and unbeaten in the final 13 games. This was Jacksonville’s second appearance in the Championship Match as they finished runner-up in 2016. The Red Raiders finished the year 18-3-2 and 3A Runner-up for the second year in a row.
The NCHSAA is committed to promoting and highlighting outstanding sportsmanship and has partnered with North Carolina Farm Bureau Insurance to recognize one athlete from each team who has displayed the ideals of sportsmanship throughout the year. The 2024 NC Farm Bureau Sportsmanship Award winners for the 3A Soccer Championships were Madison Dudley from South Point and Macey Helmstetter from Jacksonville.
Marvin Ridge edges Ashley for 4A Crown
MATTHEWS – The Marvin Ridge Mavericks picked up the program’s second NCHSAA Women’s Soccer Championship and ended Ashley’s undefeated season with a 2-1 win on Friday night at the Mecklenburg County SportsPlex.
The Mavericks took the lead just before halftime when Lucy Chin scored on an assist from Camryn McKee in the 38th minute.
The Screaming Eagles tied the score In the 48th minute on a corner kick from Kiley Peat that Savannah Manset redirected into the net. But the tie lasted only eight minutes thanks to a lovely strike from Isabella Zicchinolfi on a free kick. Zicchinolfi, a junior, was named Most Valuable Player of the Championship.
Friday night was the first time all season Ashley had allowed more than one goal.
The win improved Marvin Ridge to 15-4-5 on the year and 2-0 in NCHSAA Championship Matches as they also won in 2010. It also avenged a 5-1 loss to Ashley back on March 9th. The Eagles ended the year 23-1-2 and NCHSAA 4A Runner-Up for the second year in a row as they also fell to Ardrey Kell in the 2023 Championship Match.
The NCHSAA is committed to promoting and highlighting outstanding sportsmanship and has partnered with North Carolina Farm Bureau Insurance to recognize one athlete from each team who has displayed the ideals of sportsmanship throughout the year. The 2024 NC Farm Bureau Sportsmanship Award winners for the 4A Soccer Championships were Sarah Brannin from Ashley and Molly Estes from Marvin Ridge.
