UPDATE #10: It's all over from Raleigh and Avery falls to SW Onslow 2-0. A pair of second half goals proved to stand up as the Lady Vikings played valiantly but could not pull out the championship win. Congratulations to Avery on a fine season!UPDATE #9: Avery still down a pair with 3 minutes to play. Avery has not made many serious challenges on the SWO goal, while the Stallions have taken 18 shots on goal for the game, with 7 saves by Mercedes Bentley.
UPDATE #8: SWO 2 Avery 0. 11 minutes left to play and Avery still looking to cut into the Stallion lead. Shot on goal by SWO was saved by Bentley, one of 7 saves she has made thus far.
UPDATE #7: Another goal for the Stallions! In the 51st minute a ball ricocheted off an Avery player was struck and scored by #18 Jeseca Hinds of SWO. The Lady Stallions now lead 2-0 over Avery. Fans still cheering hard for the Big Red as Avery is in big need of a comeback.
UPDATE #6: GOAL SOUTHWEST ONSLOW! In the 49th minute, a kick from the right side of the field sailed into the top left portion of the goal by #14 Armani Boswell assisted by SWO #7. Avery needs to get busy now trailing by one.
UPDATE #5: We're at halftime from Raleigh and the match remains scoreless. Avery has taken 3 shots on goal and Mercedes Bentley has made three saves. SWO has taken 8 shots on goal, with two corner kicks and a pair of saves by Avery's Mercedes Bentley. A TOUGH defensive battle so far. We'll have second half action in a few minutes!
UPDATE #4: A serious shot on goal by SWO rolled wide left. A couple minutes later an Avery corner kick almost resulted in an own goal by SWO. The ball caromed off the crossbar and a Cassie Bumgarner shot rolled just to the right of goal. We are still scoreless with just under 12 minutes left in the first half.
UPDATE #3:Avery's offense has put the pressure on SWO with an open ball inside the penalty box but went just wide. Another shot was just wide as we are halfway through the opening half and are still scoreless.
UPDATE #2 Ten minutes into the match and we're still scoreless. Defensive battle thus far with just one corner kick from SWO that was turned away. More to come!
Update #1: The teams have been introduced and we're set for action. Swansboro High School has already claimed a title and it's now the Lady Vikings' opportunity!
We have made the trip to our state capital of Raleigh for this afternoon's 1A state soccer title match between Avery and Southwest Onslow. A great contingent of Lady Vikings fans have poured into the complex for today's showdown. Avery in their road black uniforms with white numerals and trim entered the stadium to a rousing ovation from the crowd just moments ago. Match time slated for 1 p.m. under an overcast sky. We will be on the field and in the stands throughout the course of today's match to bring you all today's action as Avery seeks its first team state championship in team history.
Stay Tuned!
