WNC high school girls soccer power rankings: Seven teams remain after two playoff rounds

The first two rounds of the NCHSAA playoffs have come and gone.

Only seven of this week's top 10 teams are still alive in the postseason, including Owen, which makes a big jump into this week's rankings.

Here are this week's power rankings, following the first two rounds of playoffs for WNC girls soccer.

1. Asheville High (17-3-2)

The difference in Asheville's 1-0 second-round win against Reagan was a 26th-minute goal from Sadie Hambright and plenty of strong defense. The Cougars may be without second-leading goal scorer Peyton Case moving forward, however, after she suffered an injury in the win.

Last week: No. 1. This week: vs. No. 13-seed Charlotte Catholic (Monday)

2. West Henderson (21-1)

The Falcons escaped a close matchup with No. 14 Central Cabarrus in a 3-2 victory, with senior Marianne Maxon providing all three goals. West Henderson will stay home to face No. 6 Lake Norman Charter for a spot in the fourth round.

Last week: No. 2. This week: vs. No. 6 Lake Norman Charter (Monday)

3. Hendersonville (15-2-1)

The offense has been plentiful in the first two rounds for the Bearcats, who have 13 goals in the two games. They'll need to stay potent to beat Owen, which has allowed only one goal in two games.

Last week: No. 4. This week: vs. No. 23 Owen (Monday)

4. Brevard (19-2-2)

Freshman Charley Goodwin scored both goals in a 2-1 win over No. 5 Madison in the second round, bringing her to 32 on the season and sending the Blue Devils into the third round. While seeded No. 12 because it did not win the conference over Hendersonville, Brevard has proven it has the talent to make a deep run.

Last week: No. 5. This week: at No. 4 West Davidson (Monday)

5. Polk County (13-4-3)

The Wolverines earned two 5-1 victories in the first two rounds of the playoffs, taking down Mountain Heritage and Gray Stone Day at home. Polk County's third-round appearance is its first since 2019.

Last week: No. 6. This week: vs. No. 7 Thomas Jefferson (Monday)

6. Reynolds (18-6)

After pulling off a 4-0 win against St. Stephens with junior Peyton Harvey playing goalkeeper in her first soccer game since middle school, junior Claire Rhoden returned from injury to lead the Rockets past East Lincoln in the second round.

Last week: No. 9. This week: at No. 2 North Davidson (Monday)

7. Owen (8-6-3)

The Warlassies already have pulled off two upsets in the playoffs ahead of a faceoff with No. 2 Hendersonville, beating No. 10 McMichael 6-0 and No. 7 East Gaston 2-1. With the second-round victory, Owen ensured it will finish the season above .500.

Last week: Unranked. This week: at No. 2 Hendersonville (Monday)

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8. Roberson (14-6)

The Rams were knocked out of the playoffs on the road against Marvin Ridge in the second round of the tough 4A bracket, bringing an end to their promising season.

Last week: No. 3.

9. Madison (16-2-2)

The Patriots' season ended against Brevard with just their second loss. Despite Madison being the No. 5 seed and Brevard the No. 12 seed, the Blue Devils were just two spots lower in the final RPI rankings.

Last week: No. 5.

10. Swain County (14-5-1)

Swain County suffered a tough 5-0 upset loss to No. 12 Christ the King in the second round to end its season.

Last week: No. 7.

Evan Gerike is the high school sports reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times. Email him at egerike@citizentimes.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanGerike. Please support this type of journalism with a subscription to the Citizen Times.

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: WNC girls soccer power rankings, including Owen's big playoffs jump