Ashley reaches 4A East final in girls soccer for first time

***Click here to view a gallery of 28 photos from the action***

History was made at Legion Stadium on Wednesday night. 

Goals from sophomores Karina Peat and Savannah Manset lifted top-seeded Ashley to a 2-1 victory over No. 5 Holly Springs in the fourth round of the NCHSAA 4A girls soccer playoffs.

With the win, the Screaming Eagles (24-1) secured a berth in the 4A East final for the first time in program history. They will host the winner of No. 2 Chapel Hill/No. 11 Hoggard on Tuesday night at 6 p.m. at Legion Stadium.

The boys program was one win away from reaching the state title match in 2006, but suffered a 4-1 loss at eventual champion Broughton.

“It’s a big deal to these kids and the community,” Ashley coach Erik Graf said. “It’s great to know that these girls are doing something that so many people can get behind.”

The Screaming Eagles nearly scored just over a minute into the contest when Manset drilled a 25-yard shot directly off the far post. 

Kiley Peat hit the crossbar twice on free kicks from more than 30 yards out. The second one ricocheted to twin sister, Karina, who put a right-footed shot from just inside the box into the back of the net in the 30th minute.

“We had way more chances than they did, so the score was maybe not indicative of what it could have been,” Graf said. “Nonetheless, Holly Springs was one of the top three teams we’ve played this year.”

Manset doubled the lead in the 64th with her fifth goal of the postseason. She raced to a long service from Kaitlyn Marcinowski, beat her defender and slid a low shot inside the far post.  

“Savannah is a high-motor player who never seems to get tired,” Graf said. “We play her at four spots, and we’re confident in her ability to play any of those.

“We told her that should would most likely have some one-on-one opportunities tonight and we had full confidence in her and her shot, so we wanted her to take her opportunities.”

Holly Springs (18-2-3) nearly evened the score with less than five minutes to play in the first half, but senior defender Ellie Zimmerman cleared the ball off the goal line to preserve the 1-0 advantage.

The Golden Eagles finally got on the board in the 78th minute, but it was too little too late.