Cary Christian girls soccer still undefeated after downing Grace Christian Raleigh
By LEE MONTGOMERY
RALEIGH
Cary Christian’s girls soccer team could be one of the Triangle’s most improved squads. And the Knights are likely to only get better.
After a losing record a year ago, Cary Christian ran its record to 10-0-1 with a 3-1 road victory over a talented, young Grace Christian Raleigh team on Friday afternoon.
The Knights could be a team to make a deep run in the NCISAA 2A playoffs.
“I think a state title is in the back of our minds,” junior midfielder MaKenna Lagaly said. “Every game we play, we focus on that game. But we have a chance to go far. We knew that at the beginning of the season. We looked around and said, ‘This could be it. This could be our year. We could make another run.’
“Our program in the past has had several runs. We didn’t make states a couple years back, we fell out in the first round last year, so this year we’re ready to turn it around.”
Lagaly is the centerpiece of an aggressive passing team, but the Knights also have goal scorers like freshman Grace Deuser, whose goal late in the first half gave Cary Christian a 2-1 lead, and a solid defense.
“The progress we’ve made is incredible,” Lagaly said. “To be a part of this program and see where it’s been and see where it is now, I feel really humbled and honored to be a part of it. This year, we already have more wins than we did last year.
“It’s the teamwork, the chemistry that really brings us together. It’s been really fun. All of the girls love each other, we work hard together, and our work ethic as a team is what’s carrying us through the season.”
The future for Grace (7-2-2) is bright, too, as its dynamic scoring duo of sophomore Alexis Lang and freshman Nyle Nwainokpor should only get better.
“The future’s looking good,” Eagles coach Roman Pibl said. “We’re a good team.”
Turning point
Grace led 1-0 on Lang’s goal in the second minute, and the Eagles had another excellent scoring chance minutes later. Kelsey Drake delivered an excellent corner kick to Nwainokpor, but Knights keeper Sonna Ogan made a diving save.
Lagaly then scored on a header after a long pass from Rachel Wiggins in the 24th minute, and Deuser put Cary Christian up for good.
Three to know
MaKenna Lagaly, Cary Christian: She linked up with the Knights defense and forwards with her passing and dribbling skills. And she can score, too, as her header in the first half showed.
Alexis Lang, Grace Christian: Her 20th goal of the season gave her team a 1-0 lead. She connected with teammates for lots of other scoring chances, too.
Grace Deuser, Cary Christian: The tall freshman played all over the field, literally. As a sweeper, Deuser made several good runs on left wing in the first half, then after being switched to defense in the second half helped keep Nwainokpor in check.
What worked
Cary Christian’s defense on Lang and Nwainokpor and was crucial. The duo had scored 19 and 17 goals, respectively, this season, as their offense has been a big reason for Grace’s success.
“We know they’ve got Nyle up front, a very strong, fast forward,” Cary Christian coach Brian Twidt said. “We talked about trying to stay behind her. We still were a little soft on her and let her turn, but in the second half, we stuck a second person back there to cover her and help out.”
Deuser switched from forward to defense in the second half, and Knights senior Emily Clarkson marked Nwainokpor well, too.
“They had their line pretty high,” Lang said. “Their midfield was pretty strong, where they were blocking off our runs. They did pretty well at that.”
Out of bounds
A high kick was headed in the direction of Grace junior Hope Lapsley, but she couldn’t resist the temptation to play the ball with her hands. Frustrated, Lapsley flung her head down. “Wrong sport,” Pibl said with a smile.
Looking ahead
Some teams struggle to find one goal scorer. Grace has two with Lang and Nwainokpor.
“They’re tough, solid players,” Pibl said. “Those two are playmakers: they keep the other team watching them, and they can’t attack very much when they have to deal with Nyle and Alexis.”
They are a work in progress, too, as Nwainokpor favors her right-footed shot.
“We’ve been working together pretty well the last two or three years,” Lang said. “We both play club. I can see what runs she makes because I see the field pretty well, and she’s got the speed to where I can play it through and she can get there.”
By LEE MONTGOMERY
RALEIGH
Cary Christian’s girls soccer team could be one of the Triangle’s most improved squads. And the Knights are likely to only get better.
After a losing record a year ago, Cary Christian ran its record to 10-0-1 with a 3-1 road victory over a talented, young Grace Christian Raleigh team on Friday afternoon.
The Knights could be a team to make a deep run in the NCISAA 2A playoffs.
“I think a state title is in the back of our minds,” junior midfielder MaKenna Lagaly said. “Every game we play, we focus on that game. But we have a chance to go far. We knew that at the beginning of the season. We looked around and said, ‘This could be it. This could be our year. We could make another run.’
“Our program in the past has had several runs. We didn’t make states a couple years back, we fell out in the first round last year, so this year we’re ready to turn it around.”
Lagaly is the centerpiece of an aggressive passing team, but the Knights also have goal scorers like freshman Grace Deuser, whose goal late in the first half gave Cary Christian a 2-1 lead, and a solid defense.
“The progress we’ve made is incredible,” Lagaly said. “To be a part of this program and see where it’s been and see where it is now, I feel really humbled and honored to be a part of it. This year, we already have more wins than we did last year.
“It’s the teamwork, the chemistry that really brings us together. It’s been really fun. All of the girls love each other, we work hard together, and our work ethic as a team is what’s carrying us through the season.”
The future for Grace (7-2-2) is bright, too, as its dynamic scoring duo of sophomore Alexis Lang and freshman Nyle Nwainokpor should only get better.
“The future’s looking good,” Eagles coach Roman Pibl said. “We’re a good team.”
Turning point
Grace led 1-0 on Lang’s goal in the second minute, and the Eagles had another excellent scoring chance minutes later. Kelsey Drake delivered an excellent corner kick to Nwainokpor, but Knights keeper Sonna Ogan made a diving save.
Lagaly then scored on a header after a long pass from Rachel Wiggins in the 24th minute, and Deuser put Cary Christian up for good.
Three to know
MaKenna Lagaly, Cary Christian: She linked up with the Knights defense and forwards with her passing and dribbling skills. And she can score, too, as her header in the first half showed.
Alexis Lang, Grace Christian: Her 20th goal of the season gave her team a 1-0 lead. She connected with teammates for lots of other scoring chances, too.
Grace Deuser, Cary Christian: The tall freshman played all over the field, literally. As a sweeper, Deuser made several good runs on left wing in the first half, then after being switched to defense in the second half helped keep Nwainokpor in check.
What worked
Cary Christian’s defense on Lang and Nwainokpor and was crucial. The duo had scored 19 and 17 goals, respectively, this season, as their offense has been a big reason for Grace’s success.
“We know they’ve got Nyle up front, a very strong, fast forward,” Cary Christian coach Brian Twidt said. “We talked about trying to stay behind her. We still were a little soft on her and let her turn, but in the second half, we stuck a second person back there to cover her and help out.”
Deuser switched from forward to defense in the second half, and Knights senior Emily Clarkson marked Nwainokpor well, too.
“They had their line pretty high,” Lang said. “Their midfield was pretty strong, where they were blocking off our runs. They did pretty well at that.”
Out of bounds
A high kick was headed in the direction of Grace junior Hope Lapsley, but she couldn’t resist the temptation to play the ball with her hands. Frustrated, Lapsley flung her head down. “Wrong sport,” Pibl said with a smile.
Looking ahead
Some teams struggle to find one goal scorer. Grace has two with Lang and Nwainokpor.
“They’re tough, solid players,” Pibl said. “Those two are playmakers: they keep the other team watching them, and they can’t attack very much when they have to deal with Nyle and Alexis.”
They are a work in progress, too, as Nwainokpor favors her right-footed shot.
“We’ve been working together pretty well the last two or three years,” Lang said. “We both play club. I can see what runs she makes because I see the field pretty well, and she’s got the speed to where I can play it through and she can get there.”
