NCISAA 3A Playoffs - Final 4 ⚽️ Final Score #1 Concord Academy (18-3) 4 ⚽️ 5’ #10 Frank Lira (Sr) ⚽️ 39’,69’ #12 Asa Blackwelder (Jr) ⚽️ 75’ #15 Fredi Gomez (So) 🧤 #1 Omar Miranda-Dominguez (Sr) 🟥 76’ RB #18 Graham Buronich (Jr) #5 Cape Fear Academy (15-7) 0 Eagles dominate a quality opponent to soar into the state championship! 🏆👀

NCISAA 3A Playoffs - Elite 8 ⚽️ Final Score #1 Concord Academy (17-3) 2 ⚽️ 45’ #12 Asa Blackwelder (Jr) ⚽️ 50’ #10 Frank Lira (Sr) SouthLake Christian Academy (9-8) 1 ⚽️ 77’ #14 Josiah Stein (Sr) Eagles find a way to hold on & advance to the final 4! 🍿 – at Concord, NC

Central Carolina 3A ⚽️ Final Score (3A) Thomasville (16-3-1, 7-2) 4 ⚽️ 4’ #17 Nery Martinez (Sr) ⚽️ 7’(FK),68’(FK) #9 Nelson Vasquez (Sr) ⚽️ 36’ #11 Carlos Ponicano-Diaz (Sr) 🟥 78’ #10 Alex Robles (Sr) (3A) East Davidson (17-3, 7-2) 3 ⚽️ 20’ #4 Edwin Romero (Jr) ⚽️ 65’(PK) #12 Carlos Estrada-Morales (Sr) ⚽️ 76’ #19 Noah Vinson (Jr) Bulldogs CAME TO PLAY in a playoff atmosphere to earn a MASSIVE senior night victory over their rivals! 🥶

⭐️ Team of the Week - Week 5 ⭐️ 👑 Player of the Week: William Marquez-Hernandez (Jay M. Robinson) 🔒 Defender of the Week: Mikey Green (West Forsyth) 🧤 Keeper of the Week: Aaron Neiberg (West Forsyth) Honorable Mention: Jason Rivera-Zuniga (Jay M. Robinson)

Southern Piedmont 2A/3A/4A ⚽️ Final Score (4A) East Gaston (6-10-2, 4-8-2) 2 ⚽️ 7’ #7 Jefferson Ramirez (Jr) ⚽️ 48’ #19 Jefry Funez (Fr) (4A) Stuart W. Cramer (6-13-1, 5-8-1) 1 ⚽️ 4’ #10 Emerson Phadke (Sr) Warriors put together a quality 80 minute effort to earn their first rivalry win over the Storm in 9 years!

Never have I seen a goalkeeper come off the bench with as much energy as I witnessed Carlos Pena-Gomez (Jay M. Robinson) display to end the win at Northwest Cabarrus. Despite only playing the final 15 minutes or so, he became the loudest player on the pitch & I thoroughly enjoyed watching him command the box. – at Concord, NC

Dylan Simon was the most prominent component in the Northwest Cabarrus attack vs Jay M. Robinson. He has a good understanding of the game for a young player & is showing solid overall development as a playmaker. His assertiveness is a plus also. – at Concord, NC

Jason Rivera-Zuniga (Jay M. Robinson) brings a heightened level of grit & toughness to the pitch which was on display in the win at Northwest Cabarrus. He defends, contributes to forward momentum & will surprise you with flashes of impressive clinical ability. As the team’s sole 4-year varsity letterman, he is a great example for younger players. – at Concord, NC

Daniel Carranza-Guevara (Jay M. Robinson) really impressed me with how he defended in the win at Northwest Cabarrus. He took charge of stopping a plethora of attacks, getting behind the ball well & showing great mobility for a player with such a solid frame. – at Concord, NC

William Marquez-Hernandez (Jay M. Robinson) was simply stunning in the win at Northwest Cabarrus. He scored or contributed to all 4 goals scored, playing aggressively on the ball & tenaciously defensively when it was time to win it back. His skill set includes eye-popping shot power & accuracy, in addition to a keen eye as a playmaker. – at Concord, NC

Greater Metro 6A/7A ⚽️ Final Score (7A) A.L. Brown (11-8-2, 6-4-1) 4 ⚽️ 1’ #18 Chris Guido (Sr) ⚽️ 20’ #3 Justin Moran-Mayo (Sr) ⚽️ 44’ #10 Juan Esteban Giraldo-Zuluaga (Sr) ⚽️ 66’ #22 Osmar Encarnacion (Jr) (6A) Olympic (3-13-1, 2-9) 1 ⚽️ 5’ #14 Joshuan Lopez (Sr) Wonders put it all together for a quality team win on senior night 💚🤍

Despite the loss, Evan Mawhinney (Watauga) still looked dangerous in attack vs West Forsyth. It’s fascinating how quickly he can slice through defenders at his size & easy to see why he is the reigning Northwestern 6A/7A conference player of the year. Surely more accolades to come in his senior season. – at Clemmons, NC

Forward Kade Flinchum (West Forsyth) has been one of the biggest risers state-wide this season. In his first season at the varsity level he has completely taken over the goal-scoring responsibilities for the Titans, leading the CPC in goals & assists. He has been at the core of his team’s recent resurgence. – at Clemmons, NC

I liked the action from Jefferson Barralaga-Lopez (West Forsyth) on the wing vs Watauga. He’s a quick player both with his decision-making & skill moves, able to take on defenders 1 on 1 & get the attack into the final third. – at Clemmons, NC

Mikey Green (West Forsyth) did about everything you can ask of a defender in the win vs Watauga. He scored the initial goal, assisted the second, then scored the final goal from a free kick. Them of course on the defensive side he assisted in the shutout, taking the middle out of the opponent’s attack. – at Clemmons, NC

Aaron Neiberg (West Forsyth) defended the net with premium quality in the shutout of Watauga. There was never a lack of focus, he remained calm & assertive, & he displayed that knowing when to come off his line & being able to be a point blank shot stopper are both within his skill set. – at Clemmons, NC

Greater Metro 6A/7A ⚽️ Final Score (6A) Harding University (1-11-1, 1-8-1) 2 ⚽️ 11’ #5 Jencarlos Lobos-De Paz (Jr) ⚽️ 17’ #10 Manny Alvarez (Sr) (6A) Central Cabarrus (4-11, 3-7) 0 Rams strike early & play a clean defensive match to earn their first victory of the season! 🔥

Rocky River 4A/5A ⚽️ Final Score (4A) Mount Pleasant (4-10-3, 3-5) 2 ⚽️ 3’ #9 Jacob Correa (Fr) ⚽️ 71’ #10 Jeison Pineda (Sr) (4A) West Stanly (6-11-3, 3-4-1) 1 ⚽️ 61’(PK) #17 Ozzie Jaimes (Jr) 🟥 68’ #31 Blessings Byamunga (Jr) Tigers continue to show steady improvement with a clutch rivalry win on senior night, their 1st victory over the Colts in 7 years!