Haynes lifts Caps into state final

Broughton survives soccer test against Green Hope, wins on overtime goal

RALEIGH -- Moments after their exhausting overtime win Tuesday, members of the Broughton boys soccer team stood at midfield chanting: "One more. One more."

The Caps have one more game to play -- the N.C. High School Athletic Association 4-A state championship game this weekend -- because of their 1-0 win against Green Hope in the East Regional final.

Junior forward Brandon Haynes scored the winning goal in the first of two, 10-minute extra periods to give the Caps (27-0-1) their second straight appearance in the state title game.

Green Hope and Broughton played an entertaining 100 minutes of end-to-end soccer. The Falcons (20-3-2) managed 23 shots to Broughton's 20, and both teams got tremendous performances from their goalkeepers.

Green Hope's Alex Long and Broughton's Scott Goodwin had 10 saves apiece.

"You could tell it was going to be a one-goal match," said Broughton coach Izzy Hernandez. "There was some opportunities for both squads. It's not like it was one-sided and we just came away with it. Not at all. It's tough for them. They're a class team, class program. But I'm just glad were moving on."

In the 84th minute, Haynes received a long ball down the sideline from defender Jeremy Shelley. He beat one defender, cut back inside and beat another before slipping the ball in at the near post.

"I touched it by one, then by the other and just shot it by the goalie," Haynes said. "I was so happy. I've never been so happy."

Overtime was mere inches from being unnecessary. In the 74th minute, Green Hope forward Magnus Sorensen smashed a free kick from 25 yards out off the post.

"That was a free kick we worked on recently," Green Hope coach Andrew Chadwick said. "For me, it was like, 'Uh oh. It's going to be one of those nights.' And it ended up being one of those nights."

It was the third time in four years the Falcons came up short in the regional final. And all three times, they were shut out.

Broughton is seeking its second straight 4-A state title. The Caps will face either Greensboro Grimsley or North Mecklenburg, on Friday or Saturday evening at the WRAL Soccer Center. The NCHSAA has not yet determined the schedule for the state finals.

"If you're a competitor, it's just great to be back there; to play in that environment again," Hernandez said. "It was a new situation for Broughton boys soccer last year. The kids have tasted it, and a lot of kids are back from last year and can tell you it's really a special occasion for everybody going in."