4-A NCHSAA MEN’S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP
ROBERSON EDGES SANDERSON 2-1
IN NCHSAA 4-A MEN’S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP
RALEIGH – Cam Wood’s header in the 66th minute proved to be the difference as Asheville T.C. Roberson edged Raleigh Sanderson 2-1 in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association state 4-A men’s soccer championship at Dail Soccer Field at North Carolina State University on Saturday night.
Wood’s header off a throw-in from Connor Cowan found the back of the net and lifted Roberson to its third NCHSAA championship all-time in the Rams’ sixth appearance in the finals. The Rams finished a brilliant season undefeated at 27-0-2 and won its last 21 straight.
Senior forward Austin Stamey, who had an outstanding all-around game and assisted on Roberson’s first goal, was named the championship Most Valuable Player.
Alex Lewis connected from point-blank range off an assist from Stamey in the second minute as the Rams jumped on top immediately 1-0, which was the halftime score.
Then Sanderson tied it in the first minute of the second half on an own-goal, when a ball deflected off a Roberson defender and went into the net.
Goalkeeper Kevin Rhash had two saves for the winners while Sanderson keeper Walker Lozaw was credited five saves. Roberson had the edge in total shots 13-9, with a 7-3 advantage in shots on goal and a 7-3 edge in corner kicks.
Both teams in the 4-A final have great soccer traditions. Sanderson was in the finals for the 14th time and had won or shared 11 state championships, but the Spartans were in the championship game for the first time since 1996. Sanderson finished 23-7-1.
T.C. Roberson earned its first 4-A crown, with previous titles in 2002 and ’03 in the 3-A classification, and outscored its playoffs foes 24-5 on its run to the championship.
The Raleigh Sports Consortium served as a host city sponsor for this championship, along with the city of Raleigh and the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors’ Bureau.
NORTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
2013 STATE MEN’S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIPS
Dail Soccer Field, Raleigh
4-A CHAMPIONSHIP
Raleigh Sanderson 0 1 — 1
Asheville T.C. Roberson1 1 — 2
SCORING
2nd minute TCR—Alex Lewis (Austin Stamey)
41st minute S—T.C. Roberson own goal
66th minute TCR—Cam Wood (Conner Cowan)
