N&O girls soccer preview: Carrboro returns most of record-setting team

Carrboro’s girsl soccer team broke a state record for fewest goals allowed in a season – two – en route to an undefeated season and the N.C. High School Athletic Association 2A championship.

Carrboro, which only faced 45 shots all season, loses four players but relied on mostly sophomores last year.

The Jaguars were one of three undefeated Triangle champions: Raleigh Charter won the 1A title and Panther Creek won the 4A. The Catamounts are a startling 41-1-3 over the last two season, having been runner-up in 4A the year before.

Last season’s final N&O rankings

1. Panther Creek (20-0-2): Junior Meredith Hamby and seniors Lindsey Haney and Brittany Matsinger have big-game experience. Sarah Barnes, Jaime Calcagno, Hollie Cartwright, Devin D’Agostin, Elizabeth Kelly and Matsinger have all signed to play in college.

2. Carrboro (21-0-1): The Jaguars’ defense will be led by junior defender Natasha Turner (25 goals). Midfielder Miah Araba was the 2A title MVP and scored 17 goals (12 assists). Katie Knotek added 14 goals and 12 assists.

3. Raleigh Charter (20-0-1): Junior Karly Dreyer had 30 goals and 17 assists for the 1A champs. Rachel Erickson (13 goals, 16 assists) is also back.

4. Fuquay-Varina (17-4): Bengals seniors Kelley Suggs and Megan Greene (22 goals, 11 assists) are back with junior Kristina Sedivy (12 goals, 10 assists).

5. Broughton (15-3-2): Emma Willard led the Caps’ attack to the fourth round with 18 goals. Lily Schneider had seven goals and eight assists.

6. Cardinal Gibbons (23-4): Senior forward Mia Kowalski was an all-state player for the transitioning Crusaders. Incoming freshman Maggie Pearce has already committed to North Carolina.

7. Leesville Road (11-5-4): The Pride made it to the third round last season. Goalkeeper Shannon Hardy and midfielder Madison Hoffman are two of four seniors. Rachel Golden, a junior, will be asked to step up.

8. East Chapel Hill (14-3-1): Wildcats return Brynn Donnelly (11 assists), Caelan DeMuth, Caroline Hayter (seven goals), Susannah Lohmann and Simone Speizer.

9. Sanderson (13-5-3): Meredith McCarntey (five goals, seven assists), Katie Crawford (seven goals) and Grace Densmore (seven goals) led the team as freshmen.

10. Orange 15-4-2): Replicating the best season in Panthers history will be the goal of sophomore Kaya Hodges (17 goals, eight assists).

11. Cary Academy (15-2): All-state picks Abby Staker (20 goals, 21 assists), Jessica McCoppin (28 goals) and Remi Swartz (11 assists) are all back.

12. Jordan (14-4-1): North Carolina recruit Briana Pinto won the N.C. Gatorade Player of the Year award as a freshman.

13. Wakefield (10-6-2): Christina McCartney (13 goals, nine assists) and Morgan Nanni (10 goals, 11 assists) give the Wolverines a nice offense.

14. Holly Springs (10-8-2): The Golden Hawks made a run to the third round of the playoffs. Senior Sierra Raynor, juniors Kelli Hays and Alyssa Poth are returning all-conference picks.

15. Corinth Holders (17-1-0): The Pirates were upset in the first round of last year’s 3A playoffs. Carolina Solis (18 goals) and Summer Mitchell (11 goals) return.

Other teams to watch

Franklin Academy (16-4-2): Kiera Stephan had 41 goals, 21 assists and Anna Krussow had 22 goals and 26 assists.

Chapel Hill (9-9-2): Morgan Brandewie and Meg Testen lead the returning group.

Clayton (16-4): The Greater Neuse 4A champs bring back Everett Biggs (19 goals, 17 assists), Lauren Daniels (14 goals, 10 assists) and Holland Mills (11 goals, 14 assists).

Garner (12-7): Grace Bondurant had 17 goals and 23 assists. Kasey Adams added 17 goals.

Grace Christian Raleigh (11-6): Sophomore Alexis Lang had 25 goals, 29 assists and freshman Nyle Nwainokpor had 30 goals. Junior Micah King added 17 goals, 11 assists.

Green Hope (11-6-1): Sophomore Grace Wagner and juniors Taylor Cammarata, Bailey Petersen and Audrey Cooke were all-conference picks.

Franklin Academy (16-4-2): Kiera Stephan had 41 goals, 21 assists and Anna Krussow had 22 goals and 26 assists.

Millbrook (10-8-1): The Wildcats will get a boost from sophomore Brianna Pendergraft and juniors Lauren Griffiths and Brianna Morris.

N.C. School of Science and Math (13-5): Defending Northern Carolina 2A champs are always a tough out.

Union Pines (18-2): The Vikings, who lost two of their last three, bring back Alexa Coble (18 goals, 21 assists), Sierra Gonzalez (21 goals) and Samantha Ring (18 goals, seven assists).

Woods Charter (17-4-1): Led by All-Metro pick Isabel Pearce (52 goals, 17 assists).

Individuals to watch

Laurynn Ansted, Jr., Southern Lee: 12 goals for 13-7 Cavaliers.

Madison Bolen, Jr., Grace Christian Sanford: 23 goals, 19 assists.

Torie Boyte, Sr., Grace Christian Sanford: 34 goals, 12 assists for 16-4 Crusaders.

Carly Garrard, Sr., Granville Central: 18 goals for the Panthers.

Haley Gibson, Sr., North Raleigh Christian: 22 goals, five assists.

Ellen McAdams, Jr., Riverside: Seven goals, seven assists for 7-7 Pirates.

Leah McCray, Jr., Knightdale: 12 goals for 7-11 Knights.

Emily Neville, Sr., Triton: 20 goals, five assists for 9-11 Hawks.

Robin Pollard, Jr. West Johnston: Broke county scoring mark with 58 goals, three assists for 12-7 Wildcats.

Sarah Reynolds, Jr., St. David’s: 35 goals, seven assists for 17-5-1 Warriors.

Natalie Sabiston, Soph., Smithfield-Selma: 24 goals, nine assists for 8-9-1 Spartans.

Gabby Toussaint, Sr., East Wake Academy: Had 17 goals, 18 assists.

Madeline Uenking, Sr., Apex: Two-time all-conference pick for the 3-13 Cougars.

This story was originally published February 27, 2016 at 8:40 PM with the headline "N&O girls soccer preview: Carrboro returns most of record-setting team."