Myers Park edged out Hoggard 1‑1 after 110 minutes of regulation and extra time, then prevailed 5‑4 in a penalty shootout to capture the North Carolina High School Athletic Association 8A girls soccer state championship.
The Decisive Moment
The contest began with Hoggard striking first, as Graysen Fisher opened the scoring in the 20th minute, only for Myers Park to answer swiftly with Isabelle Tremaglio’s equaliser in the 24th.
Both sides created chances in the opening overtime period, but a golden goal eluded them, pushing the match into a shootout that would stretch to its seventh round.
In the decisive seventh round, Hoggard missed, allowing Myers Park’s Eliza Huffstetler to step up and slot the winning spot‑kick, sealing the title for the West regional champions.
Myers Park entered the final with a 18‑2‑3 record, having previously lifted the trophy in 2021 and finished runners‑up in 2018, while Hoggard arrived as the East regional champion with a 19‑1‑1 slate and a 2010 runner‑up finish.
Before kickoff, the teams recognized their Sportsmanship Award recipients, with Myers Park honoring Anna Bilderback and Hoggard naming Mia Neuwirth, underscoring the spirit of the competition.
The victory also highlighted standout performances from players such as Cailin Whitlock, who converted a crucial early penalty, and Lila Yingling, Kylah Long, Brielle Archer, Amaya Falzarano, Aubrie Rogers, Airlie Altman, Vivian Skiba, Addie McCarley, Isabelle Tremaglio and others whose contributions kept the game alive.