Hickory High School Claims First State Soccer Championship
In a tightly contested final held in Durham, North Carolina, the Hickory High School girls soccer team captured its first state championship, edging out Dixon 2-0 in the N.C. High School Athletic Association 5A title match.
The decisive goals came in the second half, with Stephanie Zulueta opening the scoring before Piper Jillings added the insurance marker that sealed the victory.
Jillings, recognized for her dual impact on defense and attack, was named Most Valuable Player, reflecting her pivotal role in both shutting down opposing threats and contributing to the offense.
Both programs entered the game with impressive season records — Dixon finished 19-4-2 while Hickory posted a stellar 23-1-1 mark — and the win marked only the second championship appearance in the combined history of the two schools, the first being Dixon's 2008 title.
Before kickoff, the teams honored Lizzie Capps of Dixon and Harper White of Hickory with Sportsmanship Awards, underscoring the respect that defined the match.
The triumph was celebrated by players, coaches, and fans alike, cementing Hickory's emergence as a dominant force in state soccer and setting a high bar for future seasons.