It seems only fitting that the top two girls soccer teams in the East will meet in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Championship.
In a showdown for history, the No. 1 seed Screaming Eagles (23-0-2) will host No. 11 seed Hoggard (record) in the 4A East Regional final on Tuesday at 6 p.m.
Wilmington's teams have never played in a girls regional final. In 2015, Laney's boys beat New Hanover to reach the 4A state final.
On Tuesday, two teams that have taken very different paths to reach this state semifinal will battle it out for a chance to move one step closer to history: A New Hanover County girls soccer team has never won a state championship.
Here's everything you need to know about Ashley vs. Hoggard girls soccer in the NCHSAA 4A East Regional Championship.
Ashay takes on HoggardAshley girls soccer shows growth and resilience in comeback win over Hoggard
Last gameAshley, Hoggard girls soccer team heads to historic NCHSAA 4A East Region playoff showdown
Do you disagree?
If you look at the records of both teams in the first half of this season, you might be surprised.
Ashley is yet to lose, but the Vikings have started the year 6-3 and were soundly defeated 3-1 by the Screaming Eagles in March. But since then, Hoggard has rallied to go 14-0, with two draws and outscoring opponents 75-10.
“They're a good team, we're a good team,” Hoggard High School coach Justin Schatz said of the matchup. “There are no secrets. They know us and we know them. We just have to play hard and find a way to win.”
Led by a stellar performance from sophomore forward Ellis Kelly, the Vikings are heading to their 10th regional final since 2010. Having already faced Ashley twice this spring, the team is very familiar with their rival.
“I've played against these girls in club matches so it's fun to play against people I know,” said Avery Barr, a senior at Hoggard High School. “It's good to know their style of play, but we've been practicing all year for this match so we're going to give it our all.”
Star Power
Tuesday's game will see a host of big names on the field.
Ashley's Karina Pete and Savannah Mansett have been outstanding this spring, scoring nearly 30 goals each, while teammates Sophie Morville and Kieran Bradley have added another 26 goals each.
“All of these girls are friends with the girls at Hoggard High School. The fact that both teams played in the Eastern Section Championship speaks volumes about the caliber of Wilmington soccer,” Ashley High School coach Eric Graff said. “It says a lot about Wilmington. We are a team that can compete anywhere in the state.”
Hoggard has relied on Kelly's talent, but the Screaming Eagles arguably have the more talented roster.
What makes the difference?
The Vikings last played Ashley in April, tying the score at 1-1 in the 77th minute. The game ended in a draw, which was somewhat of a surprise considering Ashley had the upper hand in the first meeting between the two teams in March.
But no matter how much talent and goal-scoring stars Ashley brings to the team, beating their rivals won't be easy.
Ashley has a more well-rounded squad and has played well in recent weeks, so they're more likely to win by a narrow margin, but as we all know, anything can happen in the playoffs, so don't take Hoggard lightly.
Final prediction: Ashley 2, Hoggard 1, full time.