2008 May-05
Late-season loss could prove helpful for Wildcats
By BRIAN MEADOWS
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Lake Norman’s girls soccer team had not lost in 46 straight conference games prior to Wednesday’s 2-1 setback against North Piedmont 3A foe Northwest Cabarrus.
The Wildcats were 45-0-1 in the NPC during that stretch, which followed their only other conference loss in program history — a 1-0 defeat April 20, 2005, at Mooresville.
“The girls handled (the loss to Northwest Cabarrus) well,” coach Jon Mertes said. “It wasn’t their fault we lost the game, it was mine. I took responsibility for that.”
Mertes said he adjusted his personnel and formations after Lake Norman took a 1-0 first-half lead because he wanted to try “different things for the playoffs.”
The playoffs begin Wednesday, when the Wildcats (20-1-1) host Mid-Piedmont Conference No. 4 seed Asheboro in the first round. Lake Norman has reached the quarterfinals the last two years.
“Losing that game was a big eye-opener for us,” Mertes said. “You never want to lose a game, but it was done at the best time, in my opinion.”
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