PLAYOFF CAPSULES: Girls' soccer

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on May 10, 2016 1:48 PM

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C.B. Aycock

Location: Pikeville

Head coach: Byron Adkins

Record: 10-8-0 overall, 5-7-0 Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A

Key performers: Senior Sabrina Johnson (17 goals, 28 assists); junior Hannah Vernon 10 goals, 12 assists); freshman Hannah Spier (20 goals).

Adkins says: "Overall, I think we have played well in most areas. We have scored more goals and won more games than we have the last three years, but still so much room to grow. (Our playoff success) will determine what seed we get. If we get a low seed like 25, then we will be out in the first round. We are a very young team and need a year to grow and get better, and work more on technical skills."

Playoff opponent: Richlands (10-10-2)

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Eastern Wayne

Location: New Hope

Head coach: Scott Summers

Record: 7-9-2 overall, 5-7-0 Eastern Carolina 3-A/4-A

Key performers: Junior Brennan Dove (18 goals, 9 assists); Madison Tallarida (7 goals); Claire Molloy (4 goals); Yessi Guitierrez (4 goals).

Summers says: "We started off with a young team with a lot of learning (to work) as a team. My team has progressed nicely to prepare themselves for the playoffs. Where some teams might have gotten worse as the season went on, our Warriors have become a lot better. I look forward to seeing how we compete in the playoffs as long as we continue to play solid defense, not allowing goals and then capitalizing on offensive opportunities."

Playoff opponent: at Chapel Hill (14-2-2)

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Goldsboro HS

Location: Goldsboro

Head coach: Chad Lewis

Record: 11-4-2 overall, 6-2 Eastern Carolina 2-A

Key performers: Junior Ivey Wade (8 goals, 2 assists); freshman Makayla Roberts (5 goals, 14 assists); freshman Tziah Kelly (7 goals, 1 assist); senior Melissa Cox (7 goals, 3 assists).

Lewis says: "We have to play as a team and be unselfish. We have a lot of talented players on our team, but every so often those players will try and do way too much by themselves and the result is not ideal. When we distribute the ball and look for the open player, we usually get a chance at a goal. Our defense is second to none, the back four are our backbone. We have a talented midfield that can win balls and then distribute it to where it needs to go. Our forwards are tenacious and they will keep pressure up till the opponent makes a mistake and then we'll take advantage of it. None of that matters if they don't all pull together."

Playoff opponent: Midway (14-5-0)

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Rosewood

Location: Rosewood

Head coach: Kevin Martin

Record: 12-6-0 overall, 10-4-0 Carolina 1-A

Key performers: Senior Lexi Mercer (34 goals, 7 assists); junior Payton Lane (9 goals, 13 assists); junior Rebecca Fitzmaurice (8 goals, 12 assists); sophomore Tayzlie Tripple (11 goals, 6 assists).

Martin says: "I think our success has been down to a few players doing extra work both in the offseason and preseason to make sure they were well-prepared for the season, and hard work and being organized during games. In the playoffs, we have to keep working hard and believe that we are good enough to compete with the top teams."

Playoff opponent: Lakewood (6-11-0)

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Spring Creek

Location: Seven Springs

Head coach: Carlos Borda

Record: 15-2-1 overall, 12-1-1 Carolina 1-A

Key performers: Senior Madison Harkay (24 goals, 6 assists); sophomore Jordan Lane (11 goals, 2 assists); freshman Mirna Santiago (7 goals, 4 assists); freshman Madison Sullivan (6 goals, 8 assists); senior Amber Buchan (4 goals, 4 assists).

Borda says: "(We) did not mind the number of concussions and injuries we had to face this season. Staying together as a team, (we) achieved a historical record for Spring Creek girls soccer. (Our) goalies Fernanda Martinez and Kaitlyn Sullivan combined for more than 100 saves. (The) defense (was) led by Mackenzie Ingram and supported by Helen Santizo, Cassie Alphin, Jaida Body, Allison Patton, Karina Velásquez and Bianca Cuevas. They formed a wall difficult (for opponents) to pass. The midfield, led by Amber Buchan, was supported by Nora Hernandez, Madison Sullivan, Ivet Carreño -- who were in charge to recover and create plays. Forwards Harkay, Lane, Ried and Santiago have been there to score (goals)."

Playoff opponent: River Mill Academy (1-19-0)

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North Duplin

Location: Calypso

Head coach: Kim Wolfe

Record: 2-12-0 overall, 2-12-0 Carolina 1-A

Key performers: Kendy Rangel (two goals); Joanna Flores (one goal); Esmeralda Lopez Perez (one goal); Darlene Martinez (one goal).

Wolfe says: "After facing challenges with numbers due to injuries throughout the second half of the season, our second-year team has become more unified and has really improved their control of the ball through better ball control and better passing. As a result, we have had many more offensive opportunities during the end of the season. Our freshman goalkeeper, Darlene Martinez, has been a major asset to our program as she has gained confidence in the goal throughout the season. We have a dedicated group of girls that are focused and hard working. The team is looking forward to our playoff opportunity and hoping to clinch a victory in the first round."

Playoff opponent: at Whiteville (17-5-0)

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Princeton

Location: Princeton

Head coach: Brett Koehmstedt

Record: 9-8-1 overall, 7-5-1 Carolina 1-A

Key performers: Senior Emily Woodward (7 goals, 3 assists); freshman R. Creech (8 goals); senior Chelsea Hawley (17 goals, 4 assists); junior goalie H. Horne (147 saves)

Koehmstedt says: "Our team has grown the most in our communication on and off the ball. For the postseason, our goal is to keep a clean sheet every game."

Playoff opponent: at Oxford Prep (2-12-0)

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Wayne Country Day

Location: Goldsboro

Head coach: Steve Ellis

Record: 8-7-1 overall, 6-0-0 Coastal Plains Independent 1-A/2-A

Key performers: Langley Barnes (23 goals, 3 assists); senior Gianna Democko (6 goals, 3 assists); Ally Willman (2 goals, 3 assists); eighth-grader Janae Jones (3 goals, 1 assist); seventh-grader Kathryn Hamilton (3 goals, 2 assists).

Ellis says: "Mate, we need to continue to work hard and stay switched on for the whole game. We must continue to take our chances in front of the goal and like every team, have a little bit of luck. Jennifer Potts and Margaux Pope (are) solid in the back. They are protected well by Abby Skinner."

Playoff opponent: To be determined. NOTE: The independent school pairings will not be released until Wednesday afternoon.