Charlotte Aldredge pushes forward in CFCA’s first-round win Tuesday.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Cape Fear Christian Academy’s varsity girls soccer team got two goals from Lexie Crumley and six saves from Grace Viox in a 5-0 win over visiting North Hills Christian of Salisbury in the first round of the NCISAA 1-A playoffs on Tuesday.
The fifth-seeded Eagles (7-4) will travel to take on No. 4 seed Ridgecroft (7-4) on Thursday for a 4 p.m. start.
“Great team effort,” said CFCA coach Michael Breslin. “Top to bottom, every player did her part. We were able to put together a lot of the finer points we’ve been working on this season. For the entire 80 minutes, we played a consistently high level of soccer. Our players won the 50-50 balls that we have struggled with in the past. We communicated well and held our positions.
“The few times that the coaches had to correct players’ positioning, the team moved into the desired shape and we continued to move the ball. Grace Viox had her first clean sheet as a varsity goalkeeper and the four defenders were fantastic. The defensive midfielders limited the opponent’s options to attack and were able to quickly transition from defense to offense. Our attacking midfielders used the width of the field and were creative in their attacks. It truly was a great team effort.
We started scoring early in the match. In the fourth minute, Gwynn Young played a ball into the penalty area and Charlotte Aldredge was able to slot it past the North Hills keeper. Ten minutes later, Lexie Crumley doubled the lead on an unassisted goal. For the rest of the first half, we controlled the flow of the match but failed to score more.
“During halftime, I told the team to continue to play as we had the first half as there weren’t too many issues we had to correct. My main concern was that we would not lose our focus. In the 50th minute, Nina Sauer played a through ball to Lexie Crumley who again beat the North Hills keeper. In the 66th minute, Gwynn Young scored from a high, looping shot from the right side of the field.
“Ella John Dupree intercepted an errant pass on the ensuing kickoff, took the ball down the field, and scored giving us a 5-0 win.
“I look forward to seeing how we do in the quarterfinals.”
Gwynn Young had a goal and an assist for the Eagles.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Grace Viox had a shutout as the Eagles advanced.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Lexie Crumley used her speed on through balls for scoring chances.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Ella John Dupree capped the scoring for Cape Fear Christian on Tuesday.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Nina Sauer contributed defensively and had a late assist.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
Abby Taylor was active in defusing attacks by the visitors.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
It has become a CFCA soccer tradition to take a picture at the scoreboard after big wins. Kneeling from left are Bailey Avery, Courtney Byrd, Gwynn Young, Charlotte Aldredge, Abby Taylor, Jada Johnson and Lily Kate Dupree. Standing from left are Coach Michael Breslin, Laney Avery, Grace Viox, Nina Sauer, Lexie Crumley, Laney Trainer, Madeline Brocious, Ella John Dupree and assistant coach Jackson Breslin.
(Dunn Area Sports Photo/Barbara Myatt)
