The Gaston Christian girls soccer team clinched the NCISAA 3A state championship on Tuesday, edging Grace Christian 3‑2 in a nail‑biting overtime finish. The victory marks the program’s first-ever title and underscores a season that combined dominance with resilience.
A Season Defined by Grit
Coach Davis McBee was overcome by emotion after the final whistle, his voice trembling as he reflected on the journey that led to this moment. He praised the squad’s relentless work ethic, noting that every practice and every early‑morning conditioning session paid dividends when it mattered most.
The decisive goal came from eighth‑grader Piper Haston, who struck in golden‑goal overtime to seal the win, while Addison Deaton contributed a goal and two assists, orchestrating play with poise beyond her years.
The Eagles closed the season at 17‑2, highlighted by a ten‑game winning streak that propelled them through the Metrolina Conference schedule and earned them a share of the conference title.
Their championship run was not without challenges; the team outlasted top‑ranked Cape Fear Academy in the NCISAA 3A semifinals, a test of depth that revealed the squad’s ability to rally under pressure.
Three Eagles — Haston, Bailey Knox and Allie Dinlocker — earned all‑state honors, while Rowan Haston and Trinity Genteman were named to the all‑NCISAA Metrolina team, a testament to the program’s depth.
Coach McBee summed up the achievement with a simple message to his players: “You earned every bit of this.” The title not only celebrates a remarkable season but also sets a new standard for future Eagles.