(1) Ashley stuns (2) Chapel Hill in extra time to advance to 4A title game
The Screaming Eagles of Ashley High School are the girls soccer champions of the vaunted 4A East region.
52.3 seconds away from its season coming to a close, Savannah Manset and Karina Peat pulled victory from the jaws of defeat with a stunning 2-1 win over Chapel Hill in overtime.
The heavyweight match between the region’s top two seeds did not disappoint.
Challenged early by Ashley’s offensive pressure, Tiger keeper Kitty Pope made three first half stops to keep the contest scoreless through the opening 40.
The first half’s initial scoring opportunity came 56 seconds in when the Screaming Eagles sent a ball off of the left post from 20 yards out.
Kiley Peat also tested Pope with a ball on frame that was punched over the bar for the first half’s lone corner.
Chapel Hill broke the ice in the 53rd minute. Bridget McMahon lofted a ball into the box that was settled and sent past the keeper by Audrey Yazejian for a 1-0 lead.
Despite its backs being to the wall, Ashley began to find holes in the stout Tiger back line as the match wore on.
The final ten minutes of regulation saw the Screaming Eagles generate a handful of chances that were turned away by Pope.
But in the final moments, a penalty kick was awarded for a hand ball in the box. Manset, one of eight sophomores on Ashley’s roster, was tasked to take the kick of her life and she did not miss.
A ball that was sent lower right secured extra time and drastically swung momentum in favor of the home side.
With a raucous Legion Stadium crowd at its back, Karina Peat secured the program’s first trip to the state championship match.
90 seconds into overtime, Manset tried to connect with Sophie Morvil on a header. The loose ball was settled by Peat and sent in for the 2-1 advantage.
Ashley will be able to write the final chapter of its historic season on the state’s biggest stage. The Screaming Eagles will travel to Greensboro on Friday to take on the defending state runner-up Ardrey Kell, who picked up a statement victory in the 4A West final with a 7-0 win over Weddington.
The contest will be a rematch of an April 1 match in Wilmington which Ashley won 2-1 behind goals from Karina Peat and Kieran Bradley.
Friday’s match will kick off at 7:00 p.m.. The NCHSAA released the full state championship schedule on Tuesday morning.
