NCHSAA girls soccer playoffs: Where every Wilmington-area team stands this postseason
The North Carolina high school girls soccer postseason kicks off today, marking the final spring sport to begin the 2024 state playoffs.
The Wilmington area has several top-seeded teams, including Ashley, which earned the 4A East's top seed, Hoggard (No. 11) and Laney (No. 14)
Seven area teams across four classifications will compete for a state championship this postseason, but does anyone have a legitimate chance at making history and bringing the Wilmington area its first girls soccer state title?
Here's a look at where each area team stands entering the 2024 NCHSAA girl's soccer playoffs.
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Ashley (18-0-2)
After securing the Mideastern Conference title, Ashley enters the postseason as the No. 1 seed in the NCHSAA's 4A East classification.
Spearheaded by stars like Karina Peat and Savannah Manset, Ashley has allowed just nine goals all season while scoring 113. The team's only slights come in the way of two draws, one against Jacksonville in the season opener and another to rival Hoggard on April 26.
After last season's state championship appearance, Ashley has been the favorite to make another deep playoff run this spring. If the regular season has been any indication, we should expect to see the Screaming Eagles play deep into May.
Hoggard (16-3-2)
After dropping three games in the first half of the season, the Vikings are unbeaten in their last 12 matchups.
Hoggard receives the No. 11 seed and will host No. 22 Jordan (11-10) on Monday. The Vikings have managed to hit a stride over the past two months, led by junior Ellis Kelly, the team's top goalscorer.
Hoggard might not have the star power that Ashley possesses, but fans shouldn't be surprised if the Vikings make a regional final appearance.
Laney (14-4-1)
The No. 14-seeded Buccaneers start the 2024 postseason at home, hosting No. 19 East Chapel Hill (13-7-3).
Led by junior duo Olivia Duleba and Kenzie Badawi up front, Laney beat every Mideastern Conference team not named Ashley or Hoggard this season.
The Bucs will face a tough bracket, as a win Monday will likely result in a second-round matchup with No. 3 East Chapel Hill (18-1-1).
Topsail (13-7-1)
The No. 18-seeded Pirates are the only area 4A team starting the playoffs on the road as they face No. 15 Heritage (12-5-4).
Topsail finished fourth in the MEC this spring but closed the season with three tough-fought 2-1 losses against Ashley, Hoggard, and Laney.
Topsail enters this postseason with plenty to prove, so don't be surprised if the Pirates pull off a few upsets.
South Brunswick (8-9-1)
Led by sophomore Meryn Deutsch's 27 goals, South Brunswick earns the No. 28 seed in the 3A East state playoffs.
They'll face No. 5 Union Pines (15-4-2) in a game that heavily favors the Vikings, who have outscored opponents 105-34 this season.
Trask (15-5-1)
The Titans claimed their second straight Waccamaw Conference title this season and earned the No. 9 seed in the 2A East playoffs.
Freshman forward Nayeli Sanchez has been terrific for the team this spring, scoring 24 goals in 18 games. Senior Kenya Lewis has also stepped up, scoring 18 times.
Pender (0-19-1)
Despite not winning a single game this spring, Pender was still the top (And only) 1A team out of the split 1/2A Waccamaw Conference, earning an automatic spot in the state playoffs.
The Patriots, a No. 28 seed, will face No. 5 Falls Lake (13-6) on Monday.
This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: 2024 Wilmington-area NCHSAA girls soccer playoff picture
