Here's how late drama lifted South Point girls soccer to NCHSAA 3A state final
BELMONT — Grace Smith has netted dozens of goals at South Point’s Lineberger Stadium during a stellar high school career. After Tuesday night, however, there’s no doubt which ranks at the top of her list.
South Point girls soccer will vie for its first state championship Saturday, Smith’s late goal lifting the Lady Raiders to a 3-2 victory over West Henderson in the NCHSAA 3A West final.
Tied 2-all, a West Henderson handball gifted South Point with a penalty kick in the game’s final minutes. Smith did the rest, her kick surging past the Falcons’ goalkeeper for the decisive goal.
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“I knew it was up to me; there was only a little more than five minutes left,” she said. “It’s a lot of pressure, but luckily I know how to take (penalty kicks); they’re kind of my specialty.”
It was South Point’s third consecutive trip to a regional final, its previous two appearances spoiled by Lake Norman Charter.
“I just can’t talk enough about how this team grinds,” said South Point girls soccer coach Chris Baity. “All year long, practicing since January, it’s tough doing this day in and day out. Yet they fought through adversity and never panicked.”
The Falcons struck first in the 18th minute, Marianne Maxon’s corner kick finding Paisley Stepp for the game’s opening goal. West Henderson’s lead lasted five minutes, with Smith’s first goal of the evening bringing South Point even at 1-all.
Smith struck again minutes into the second half, outrunning West Henderson defenders to the ball before depositing it in the Falcons’ net for a 2-1 lead. West Henderson wasn’t done, though, and Maxon netted the equalizer in the game’s 58th minute.
With under 10 minutes remaining and the teams stalemating, Baity said he thought the game would come down to who made a fatal mistake. “Unfortunately for them, it was a handball; it was fortunate for us,” he said.
For Smith, it gave her an opportunity to put away ghosts of postseasons’ past. She received a painful reminder before doing so, however.
“I had Tommy John surgery in October and I have screws in my elbow,” she said. “I think I hit a screw (on a hard West Henderson tackle with 15 minutes left) and it made my whole elbow numb. I was shocked, but (feeling) came back and I was ready to go.”
Smith’s elbow might’ve been sore, but with a trip to the 3A state final at stake, she proved her right leg was just fine. “(Smith) fired that ball into the right corner and left no doubt it was going to be a goal,” Baity said.
Overcome by emotion, Smith fell to the Lineberger Stadium turf as the final buzzer sounded, with teammates joining her for a celebratory dogpile. “This team just wanted this so much. I’m glad this time was their time,” Baity said.
South Point (22-0-3) moves on to Saturday’s 3A state final, where it will take on Eastern Alamance (19-0-1) at UNC Greensboro. Kickoff is at 11 a.m.
This article originally appeared on The Gaston Gazette: NCHSAA girls soccer: South Point beats West Henderson in 3A West final
