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Prep Roundup
Columnists Brian Meadows Brad NormanMembersLocal Connection› Iredell County Young Athletes Association› South Iredell Athletics Association › SHS athletics › WIHS athletics › NIHS athletics › SIHS athletics › LNHS athletics Syndicate RSSAP NASCAR NASCAR Features A look at this year's schedule A look at this year's drivers Differences between stock car and open-wheel racing NASCAR Research & Development Petty Enterprises splitter testing Aerodynamic testing in Concord's wind tunnel Top 10 moments in Daytona history Site StatisticsThis page has been viewed 801732 timesPage rendered in 0.2033 seconds Total Stories: 2136 Total Comments: 34 Most Recent Entry: 08/15/2008 01:53 pm Most Recent Comment on: 04/17/2008 11:54 pm Most Recent Visitor on: 05/23/2012 04:58 pm |
• Public Schools • Lake Norman High School • top story
2008 May-17
Wildcats reach first regional final with thrilling victoryBy BRIAN MEADOWS The Wildcats knocked off previously unbeaten Marvin Ridge in the quarterfinals of the 3A state playoffs by virtue of a 3-1 decision in the shootout. The game was scoreless after 80 regulation minutes, two 10-minute overtimes and two five-minute sudden death periods. Ferguson’s clinching goal sends Lake Norman (24-1-1) on to the West Regional final for the first time in school history. The Wildcats will host Asheville Roberson (27-0) for a berth in the state championship game. The sophomore looked calm before delivering the crushing blow. “Hit it where I’ve been hitting it in practice and hope for the best,” Ferguson said she told herself before pocketing the shot low left. Ferguson received her fair share of congratulations afterward, but the biggest hugs were reserved for goalkeeper Mollie Zimmer, who played brilliantly. Marvin Ridge (21-1-1) took the first penalty kick, but Zimmer dove to the ground and made the save, touching off a deafening roar from the large Lake Norman contingent in the visiting stands. “You have to go up there with a high spirit and be optimistic,” said Zimmer, adding that she felt “ecstatic” after making the initial stop. Lauren Vawter and Elizabeth Croom also converted their penalty kicks for the Wildcats. Marvin Ridge, which had a goal disallowed on an offside call in the 77th minute, missed its final two penalty kicks. “We’ve practiced (PKs) ever since playoffs started,” Lake Norman coach Jon Mertes said. “It’s been like clockwork the last 20 minutes of practice, just in case something like this happened. It paid off.” Zimmer, who appeared comfortable coming off her line to scoop the ball when the situation dictated it, made 13 saves in regulation and overtime. She made one final clutch save in the last minute of sudden death. Zimmer deflected Ashley Aragona’s rip out of bounds for a corner kick. Lake Norman tightened up and held to force the shootout. “She was the player of the day,” Mertes said. “She made several saves that kept us in the ballgame.” Bookmarkz |
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