Hoggard Rolls On, New Hanover's Dreams Dashed

Hoggard 6 - Southeast Raleigh 0

After shutting out Jordan 3-0 in the first round of the NCHSAA girls' soccer playoffs, the Hoggard Vikings put a licking on Southeast Raleigh Friday night as they cruised to a 6-0 win.

For Hoggard, currently ranked tenth in the state, Sheri Hoover opened up the scoring and just kept on going. The sophomore led the young and talented Vikings as she put them up 2-0, and then 3-0; turn out the lights. Hoover said of her hat trick, "It's exciting for a really big playoff game, but it is always about team work."

And with the Vikings, that seems to be an understatement. They've just got too many weapons. Coach Larry Cleveland, filling in for Coach Teller who was suspended after receiving two red cards during the season, said of the team "There are so many girls that can get the job done. There are too many of us to stop. One does it one game, someone else does it the next...It is what a team is supposed to be."

With just five seniors, Hoggard may be short on experience, but they are long on talent. Cleveland added of the well balanced Vikings, "Coach T has them prepared, it is just plug in and play."

Hoggard, now 18-2-3, will play the winner of Saturday's Apex / Terry Sanford game. The Vikings will play at Apex, or host Terry Sanford, on Tuesday.

East Chapel Hill 1 - New Hanover 0

The dream season for the Wildcats came to a heart-breaking close Friday night as they lost in penalty kicks (5-4) after playing the number one team in the state to a 0-0 tie.

East Chapel Hill came into the second round clash having lost just one time this season, 1-0 to the state's second ranked team Leesville Road, and was pushed to the brink. The Wildcats kept ECH off the board throughout regulation, and after a scoreless overtime, the teams went to PK's where New Hanover was edged 5-4.

-- Jesse Jones, CAPE FEAR SPORTS REPORT