For more than 50 minutes, the Wilson Christian girls soccer team held firm.
But in the end, the Lady Chargers' defensive steadfastness could not match Wake Christian's offense, as the Lady Bulldogs scored two goals in five minutes during the second half to win their second straight N.C. Christian Schools 3-A state title Saturday at Wilson Christian.
After playing 30 minutes of overtime Friday night just to make the finals, the Lady Chargers had to turn around Saturday and face Wake, which beat them in last year's final in Greensboro. The Lady Bulldogs won by four goals each of this season's two meetings.
In spite of the tall task before WCA, it was determined to keep the game tight and maybe have a shot at the end.
"We knew coming in that Wake had the subs and they weren't tired, and we were tired after playing an extra 30 minutes of soccer," Wilson head coach Luke Poore said. "We knew we were not expected to win, and we held them for 50 minutes. Our girls played a great game -- one of the best we've played all season."
Reaching the finals for the third straight year, the Lady Chargers (7-5-2) braced themselves defensively against the more experienced Lady Bulldogs (11-6-0), whose six seniors have played for the state title four straight years.
Wilson junior Sara Treadwell, normally a potent force offensively, volunteered to move back to sweeper to help bolster the Lady Chargers' defense following a grueling semifinal game.
"(Friday) was pretty much like winning a championship because it was so intense," Treadwell said. "And today, we were just determined to play our best, and we were just trying to play defense because that's what we had to do."
But after the first half, in which Wake outshot Wilson, 22-1, the Lady Bulldogs' switched to a three-man attack up front and finally broke the tie when senior midfielder Elizabeth Hefner took a pass from Taylor Holste and fired a shot from the left side of the penalty box to the far post.
Just five minutes later, senior forward Kara Mulligan launched a high, arcing 25-yard high shot that squeezed just under the crossbar for a 2-0 lead with 24:30 remaining.
"That opened things up and created more things offensively," Wake head coach Wayne Helder said of his second-half offensive change. "That really created some chances in the second half. ...
"But I'm very proud of our girls. We really had an outstanding season. And give Wilson credit. They had a great plan, and that's the way you've got to play us."
The Lady Chargers bounced back with a late-game offensive charge, and had a great chance with four minutes left to cut the deficit in half when Wake was whistled for a handball in the penalty box.
But Treadwell's penalty kick just sailed over the crossbar, and the Lady Bulldogs would hold on the rest of the way.
"I just wasn't thinking," Treadwell said, "but I can't kick myself for it because there's next year."
Treadwell and fellow junior Courtney Peacock were named to the All-Region first team and All-State team, joining Wake's Hefner, Mulligan, Rita Beard and Emily Buffaloe.
"It's really nice knowing that the other coaches notice the high level of skill we have on our team with me and Courtney," Treadwell said, "and that we have been working really hard. It's really rewarding and just feels really nice."
Wilson's Rikki Bizzell was also named first team All-Region, and Katie Lamm, Taylor Moore and Megan Pruitt were named to the second team.
But even with the loss, falling short of their third state title, the Lady Chargers remained positive and focused on next season, losing just two seniors to graduation, and perhaps meeting Wake once more with the title on the line.
"We'll have a good team coming back, and they're losing a lot," Poore said. "So, we'll be a lot closer next year. The prospects of next year are very good."
mlindsay@wilsontimes.com | 265-7807