Soccer falls in 3rd-round OT thriller
The boys’ soccer team finished its season Nov. 9, losing 3-2 to the number one ranked 2A team in the state, Carrboro, during the third round of the state playoffs.
The Chargers took the lead early in the game and finished the half ahead 1-0 after a header from senior Nate Holst found the back of the net. Then approximately ten minutes into to the second half, senior Connor Lawrence capitalized on an opportunity, giving the Chargers a 2-0 lead.
It was not until the game had a little less than 20 minutes left in the second half that Carrboro put in its first goal, then tied the game with 90 seconds left.
In the first half of overtime, a Carrboro corner kick was headed toward the Chargers’ goal and bounced into the bottom corner.
Northwood made the run to the third round after upsetting No. 1 seed Jordan Mathews 4-3 in penalty kicks. They then cruised passed Franklinton in a 4-2 second round win.
Football knocked out in first round
After getting off to a 0-5 start, the football team came back to finish second in the conference, win homecoming and win senior night. The Chargers made the playoffs but were defeated in the first round, losing to Franklinton 29-7.
“For us to get knocked out of the first round of state playoffs was extremely disappointing and we’re going to work hard to make sure that doesn’t happen next year,” said Coach Bill Hall.
To make the playoffs, Northwood needed to win its last two games, which it did, defeating Union Pines and Cedar Ridge. The Chargers finished the season 4-7.
Horton retires as long-time coach
Cross-country rounded out its season Nov. 5 with the girls’ team placing 10th in States out of 16 teams. The girls qualified for States by placing third in the regional meet, held Oct. 29.
Although the boys didn’t qualify for States, they finished sixth in Regionals.
For the boys, Max Griffin and Thomas Duncan were co-MVRs (Most Valuable Runners). Julia Sloane and Maria Vanderford finished as co-MVRs for the girls’ team, and Vanderford was named All-Conference.
Coach Ronald Horton announced that after 40 years of coaching, he would retire.
“Coach Horton was such an amazing coach. He made practice so much fun and led us [to be our best]. He was a very, very good coach and I’m going to miss him a lot,” said senior runner Yancey Luft.
Harris makes verbal commitment to N.C. Central
Jacobi Harris recently made a verbal commitment to North Carolina Central to play baseball for the Eagles. Harris, a senior, plays centerfield for Northwood, as well as playing varsity football and basketball.
“[I chose N.C. Central because] I wanted to be successful and fly like an eagle,” said Harris.
— Compiled by Emily Brooks, Kaitlyn Mattiace & Austin Moody