CARY – Senior Sarah Kirkley knocked home the only goal of the game with just 1:23 left to play to lift defending champion Raleigh Broughton to a 1-0 decision over Charlotte Providence in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association state 4-A women’s soccer championship at the SAS Soccer Park on Saturday.

It was Broughton’s nine NCHSAA state title and 13th appearance in the state championship game in the last 15 years. The Caps now have an incredible 68-7 record all-time in NCHSAA women’s soccer playoff competition.

Casey Nogueira, voted the Most Valuable Player of the championship for the second consecutive year, distributed the ball to Kirkley after Kelly Attayek had saved the ball from going out near the end line.

Molly Baird recorded the shutout in goal for Broughton, which allowed only eight goals against all season long.

The Caps finished the season 26-0-1 while Providence wound up 20-3-1. It was Providence’s third appearance in the finals, and all three have been against Broughton. The Panthers won the ’97 4-A crown and were runners-up in 2001.

NCHSAA 4-A STATE WOMEN’S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP

SAS SOCCER PARK

Raleigh Broughton 0 1 — 1

Charlotte Providence 0 0 — 0

SCORING

78:38 B – Sarah Kirkley (Casey Nogueira).