The Charlotte Observer’s 2024 high school girls’ soccer preview

Jay Edwards
·6 min read

Here is The Charlotte Observer’s 2024 preview for girls’ soccer:

Teams to watch

Ardrey Kell: The defending 4A state champions must reload a bit after losing two-time Charlotte Observer and two-time N.C. Gatorade player of the year Taylor Suarez, now at Florida State; Lyla Chadd, now at Presbyterian University; and Carly Montgomery, now at Texas). But the Knights returns six starters, including a trio of experienced seniors: goalkeeper, Caroline McSweeney (17 shutouts, 87 saves last year), forward Maddie Montgomery (five goals, seven assists last year) and midfielder Avery Richards (three goals, six assists last year). Juniors Grace Meyers, Elie Newman, Ellie Riechman and sophomore Kelly Tarpley, will also play bigger roles.

Catawba Ridge: The Copperheads return eight starters from a team that went 15-6 and advanced to the 4A state quarterfinals last season. This year, Catawba Ridge will rely on a senior-laden group with several all-region senior returning: center back Sarah Sexton (Furman University commit, 11 goals, 14 assists last year), midfielder Sadie Commerford (East Tennessee State commit, 32 goals, 17 assists last year) and Kyleen Bents (East Carolina commit, 22 goals, 12 assists). Senior goalkeeper Peyton Pierson (Mars Hill University commit) leads the defense after recording 13 shutouts last season.

Charlotte Latin: The Hawks return nine starters from the defending 4A state championship squad that finished No. 13 in the nation last year. This season, Charlotte Latin’s offense will rely on senior Lucy Dempsey (12 goals, 15 assists, all-state last season), junior Maggie Hyder (three goals, five assists last year), Dempsey McMahon (14 goals, nine assists, all-state last year) and junior forward Eleanor Fisher (nine goals). The Hawks’ defense will be led by senior Avery Cheatwood (17 assists last year), Mary Stewart Hunter and junior Addie Hull.

Davidson Day: The defending NCISAA 2A state champions lost only two seniors, giving the Patriots the experience to make a run at a repeat performance this spring. The team features two-time all-state goalkeeper, junior Isabel Seifert (nine shutouts, allowed 17 goals in 18 games last year), senior midfielder Maggie Hawkins and junior outside midfielder Ada Brown.

Hough: The Huskies averaged 5.2 goals per game last season (134 goals) for a team that won 21 games and advanced to the 4A state quarterfinals. This year, Hough will be led by a trio of senior forwards, including Sarah Funderburk (22 goals, 12 assists last year), Avery Rush (15 goals, 22 assists last year, Catawba College signee) and all-state performer Kylee Thompson (25 goals, 17 assists last year; Appalachian State signee).

Lake Norman: The two-time Greater Metro 4A conference champions return seven starters, including seniors Tara Chapman (center back) and M.J. Scott (midfielder), junior forward Ella Crutchfield (eight goals, 10 assists last year) and sophomore midfielder Skyler Scott (15 assists last year).

Pine Lake Prep: The Pride look to build on last season, when they won 20 games and were a 2A state semifinalist. This year, with nine starters back, Pine Lake Prep has even greater expectations, led by all-state midfielders Avery Garrett (20 goals, 35 assists last year) and Maddyson Kerley (16 goals, 14 assists last year). Sophomore Braelyn Iosue and junior Elisabeth Perri return to lead a defense that earned 12 shutouts in 24 games last season.

Providence Day: The Chargers have been one of the best teams in state over the past three years — going 58-7 in that span with two state titles (2021 and 2022) and a state runner-up (2023) finish. This season, have a wealth of experience back in the lineup with midfielders in senior, K.K. Hart (University of Tulsa commit, 11 goals last year), junior, Blane McElroy (Purdue commit, 16 goals, 17 assists, all-state last year) and sophomore, Devon McElroy (12 goals, 10 assists as a freshman), leading the way for a team that expects to be playing for a championship.

Other players to watch

Tyler Baughan, Community School of Davidson: The Spartans’ all-state senior forward, a Campbell University commit, scored 41 goals as a junior.

Eden Black/Ava Merli, Independence: The Patriots will lean on their defense with Black and Merli, leading the way back four, while Anna Kate Jackson (15 goals, five assists last year) will power the Patriots’ offense.

Molly Carlson, Covenant Day: The Lions’ all-state junior goalkeeper is a recent University of Virginia commit.

Bella Dragone, Providence: The Panthers’ all-state junior forward scored 25 goals and had 12 assists as a sophomore. She scored 23 times as a freshman.

Liza Faulkenberry, Buford (SC): The Yellow Jackets’ senior goalkeeper allowed 18 goals in 14 games last year with 58 saves.

Riley Frey, Carmel Christian: The Cougars’ senior center back, a four-year starter, returns to lead a team that lost 12 seniors and has a new head coach in David Fox.

Lilly Heaslet, South Mecklenburg: The Sabres’ senior goalkeeper (Syracuse commit, 74 saves last year) is part of a veteran team also led by junior midfielder Julia Grier (Wofford College commit) and junior defender Caroline Wawak (East Tennessee State commit).

Abbie Hege, East Lincoln: The Mustangs’ all-state forward (22 goals, 11 assists last year) is on pace to break the school record for goals scored.

Ashlyn Kahre, Nation Ford: The Falcons’ senior (scored nine goals last year) is back to help lead a younger team. Nation Ford has four seniors back in the starting lineup.

Camryn McKee, Marvin Ridge: The Mavericks’ senior captain, a center midfielder (four goals, five assists last year) and Coastal Carolina commit, back to direct the Marvin Ridge offense with junior Isabella Zicchinolfi (13 assists last year) and sophomore Campbell Homan (13 goals last year).

Arianna McCall, Northwestern: The Trojans’ all-region defender/forward (five goals, three assists last year) will play multiple roles a Northwestern team that was 10-9 last season and returns nine starters this spring.

Marilia Nieves, Clover: The Blue Eagles’ senior forward, a University of Kentucky signee (11 goals, nine assists last year), was all-state for the Region III 5A champions. She also plays on the Puerto Rican junior national team.

Ava Trzebiatowski, Hickory Ridge: The Ragin’ Bulls’ sophomore looks to build on her freshman year, where she scored 12 goals, had 13 assists. She’ll lead a team that returns 10 of 11 starters for new head coach Jay Niessner, a former Central Academy soccer coach.

Alice Tyson, East Mecklenburg: The Eagles’ sophomore moves into a full-time role as the goalkeeper this season. She also scored six goals in the field as a freshman.

Notes

▪ Arborbrook Christian moves into the NCISAA under the direction of coach Lesslie Durst and her father Eddie Marquez, who helped start the programs at both Sun Valley and Weddington. Arborbrook Christian is in provisional status with the NCISAA this season, so it is not eligible for the postseason.

▪ East Mecklenburg coach Timothy Long has one of the area’s youngest teams with four seniors, two juniors, and nine sophomores on the roster. However, the Eagles will still be experienced — five of the nine sophomores started last year as freshmen.

▪ Providence Day junior forward Jaida McGrew was called up to join the U17 women’s youth national team for a training camp in January in San Diego. Classmate Lia Zimmer is a member of the U17 Hungarian women’s national team.

▪ Pine Lake Prep, a 2A school, was 5-0 against 4A teams last season, including wins against Lake Norman and Mooresville.