Chargers repeat as Champions

By From staff reports
Published in Sports on May 6, 2009 1:47 PM

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HENDERSON -- State-ranked Wayne Country Day repeated as the Coastal Plains Independent 1-A Conference women's soccer champion with a 2-1 decision over Kerr-Vance on Tuesday evening.

The Chargers (15-1-0 overall, 9-1-0) seized the automatic bid and opening-round bye for the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association playoffs, which begin Friday.

"I could not be more proud of the girls tonight," said WCDS head coach Baron Heinemann. "They out-hustled Kerr-Vance and played with pure heart. This team has had a target on their backs all season, and they've stepped up over and over again.

"They are a special squad."

Unlike the previous meeting, the Chargers nabbed a two-goal lead within a 29-minute span. Mack Thompson broke the scoreless tie in the seventh minute, converting a long-range chip shot that landed in the far backside of the net.

"An astounding goal," said Heinemann.

Just before halftime, Thompson factored into the second goal. She sent a through ball to Sarah Best, who dribbled around a Spartan defender and connected on goal. It was Best's team-leading 13th goal of the season and Thompson's fifth assist in 2009.

Kerr-Vance (14-5-1, 8-2) avoided the shutout on Morgan Davis' goal in the 56th minute. Soon after, Davis and WCDS goalie Ellen Elmore had a vicious collision inside the 6-yard box. Elmore suffered a deep bruise from taking a cleat to the knee and had to leave the game.

Kim Martell filled in and kept the Spartans off the board the final 20 minutes.

Wayne Country Day, ranked No. 7 statewide, will play host to a quarter-final postseason game Tuesday. The pairings for the 12-team field will be released this afternoon.