NCHSAA State 3-A Girl’s Soccer Championship

CHAPEL HILL SCORES LATE TO NIP WEDDINGTON IN NCHSAA STATE 3-A WOMEN’S SOCCER FINAL

RALEIGH— Senior Megan Dell scored with just 1:33 remaining to lift Chapel Hill to a dramatic 2-1 victory over Weddington on Saturday afternoon in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association state 3-A women’s soccer championship game at Dail Soccer Field at North Carolina State University.

The game-winner came when junior midfielder Sofie Nielsen took the ball down the right wing and then crossed to Dell at the top of the box, who tucked it into the net to give the Tigers the title. Dell will continue her career at Virginia Commonwealth.

The explosive Warriors, who came into the championship averaging 6.3 goals per game, had a 1-0 lead at the half on a goal from very long range by freshman Gabby Cormier. The Warriors kept play in the Tiger end for a good portion of the opening 40 minutes.

Chapel Hill countered with the equalizer 14 minutes into the second half when North Carolina recruit Alex Kimball made a nice run, drew defenders and then found Mia Spencer at the top of the box, who hammered it home to make it 1-1. Kimball, with an excellent all-around game, was named the championship MVP.

The Tigers finished the season with a 23-1 mark, with their only loss to Cardinal Gibbons getting avenged in the third round of the state playoffs. Weddington ended with a mark of 20-3-1.

Weddington made its second appearance in the NCHSAA women’s soccer finals, but first since 2007 when it lost to Apex in overtime in the 4-A final. Chapel Hill, although it has been a strong women’s program for some time, was in its first state championship under veteran head coach Ron Benson but its 27th appearance in post season play since 1986.

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.

NORTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
STATE 3-A WOMEN’S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP
Dail Soccer Field, N.C. State University

   Chapel Hill   0   2 -- 2
   Weddington    1   0 -- 1

15th minute – W — Gabby Cormier (Chandler Arrowood)
54th minute – CH — Mia Spencer (Alex Kimball)
89th minute – CH — Megan Dell (Sofie Nielsen)