MARVIN RIDGE DOWNS CARDINAL GIBBONS 1-0

IN NCHSAA STATE 3-A WOMEN’S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP

RALEIGH — Senior forward Toni Lashley’s spectacular first-half goal stood up as Waxhaw Marvin Ridge shut out Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons 1-0 on Saturday afternoon in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association state 3-A women’s soccer championship game at the Curtis and Jacqueline Dail Soccer Stadium on the campus of North Carolina State University.

The win completed a perfect 24-0 season for Marvin Ridge, a relatively new school just in its third year of existence as it won its initial NCHSAA women’s soccer title.

The Mavericks notched the only goal of the game in the 19th minute, when Kaitlyn Sulser delivered a cross and Lashley made an acrobatic, mid-air volley that found the back of the net from about 10 yards out. It was Lashley’s team-leading 19th goal of the season.

Lashley, who was an offensive threat all day for the winners, was named the match Most Valuable Player.

It was a dominating performance for Marvin Ridge, as the Mavericks outshot Gibbons 19-1 and the Maverick defense did the rest. Marvin Ridge recorded its 20th shutout in 24 games and allowed only four goals all season.

Cardinal Gibbons, which rebounded after a slow 2-4-2 start this season, finished 16-5-3. The Crusaders won a 2-A title in 2007.

The Raleigh Sports Consortium serves as the primary host city partner for the women’s soccer championship, along with the Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau. Wendy’s is the presenting sponsor for the NCHSAA sports program.

NORTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

STATE 3-A WOMEN’S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP

Curtis and Jacqueline Dail Soccer Stadium. N.C. State University

Waxhaw Marvin Ridge 1 0 –1

Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons 0 0 –0

19th minute MR–Toni Ashley (Kaitlyn Sulser)