CHAPEL HILL - Broughton took advantage of some great scoring opportunities to build a three-goal lead, which proved to be more than enough for a stout Caps defense to protect Friday night as coach Izzy Hernandez's squad advanced to the Eastern 4-A final with a 3-1 win over East Chapel Hill.

Broughton (21-3-1) will face the winner of this evening's match between Leesville Road and Apex early next week.

The loss ended an outstanding season for East Chapel Hill (23-2-2).

"We knew coming in this would be tough," Wildcats coach Mark Kadlecik said. "We had a young team with three great seniors, and this was the first time we had ever made the fourth round of the playoffs. This was uncharted area for us, and in Broughton we saw a level we don't see often."

The Broughton defense turned back some early threats from East Chapel Hill and then picked up a couple of first-half goals.

With under 10 minutes left in the half, Megan Eberle took a shot from 25 yards out that the East Chapel Hill keeper got her hands on but could not control.

With five minutes left, Alexis Miller made a long throw-in that Barkley Minton headed into the goal for a 2-0 halftime advantage.

Twelve minutes into the second half, Taylor Brown headed in another goal, off a corner kick from Jessica Crowder, for a 3-0 cushion.

"East Chapel Hill is a very talented young squad and did a good job attacking," Hernandez said. "Like Green Hope played very well early last game, we were able to ride it out and then get going."

Alex Perry turned in another strong game in goal with help from Lucia Stein-Montalvo, Lindsay Blum, Emmy Frederick and Nicole Gabriel.

"Defensively, we kept four in back, and they adjusted well," Hernandez said.

East scored with just over nine minutes to play when Eli Hyde-Deruyscher dribbled right of the goal and passed to Brooke Leadbetter in front of the goal, and she booted it in.

Broughton finished second in the Cap Seven in both the regular season and tournament, but has won four playoff games.

"I'm very pleased and proud of the kids," Hernandez said. "This could have been a thinner year for us, but they've worked hard and are playing better at the time of year when you'd like to be. Now we'll just wait and see who we play next. We just know it will be at either Apex or Leesville. But that's fine, we're getting used to riding the bus."