How seniors helped Smoky Mountain soccer win first NCHSAA playoff since 2017
The senior class helped Smoky Mountain girls soccer break through for its first NCHSAA playoff win since 2017 against North Gaston on May 11.
SYLVA — Smoky Mountain girls soccer peppered the North Gaston goalkeeper with shot after shot in the first half. The few times North Gaston didn’t make the save, the ball ricocheted off every part of the goal but the back of the net. In the 21st minute, the Mustangs thought they broke through.
Macy Craft slid one into the back of the goal on a breakaway. The assistant referee waved it off. Offsides.
Two minutes before halftime, Isabel Brun found Ali Klaire Nicholson running free down the right sideline. Nicholson flicked it over the goalkeeper’s head and into the left corner of the goal. That opened the floodgates for Smoky Mountain.
The Mustangs (13-9-2) added five more in the second half to secure the 6-0 win over No. 23 North Gaston (4-12-3) on May 11 in the first round of the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 5A playoffs. They will face No.