
The East Regional Champion Chapel Hill Tigers had more shots on goal by a 6-3 margin and they were able to get one by the Mavericks defense and goalkeeper for the 1-0 State 3A Championship victory and title.
Actually the Maveriicks had the first big opportunity when Nick Jones sent a cross in on the ground through the goal mouth in the 14th minute of the first half. The shot sent the Chapel Hill defenders scrambling in the box, however, the defense was able to clear the ball outside the box without any damage.
The Tigers were able to recover and mount their own attack just two minutes later on a nice curling shot which the Mavericks goal keeper was able to step up in front of the net to stymie the attacker and grab the ball in mid air for a nice save.
In the 20th minute the Tigers Kalvin Matishack was able to deposit a header into the back of the net to give Chapel Hill a 1-0 advantage. The ball bounced off of three or four different players inside the box before going in the net just past the goalkeeper.
The Tigers had all the momentum after the first goal and actually controlled the tempo of play in the first half. They had other opportunities in the 32nd minute but could not capitalize and put the game away as the Mavericks defense held on. One shot hit the crossbar and came real close to making the score 2-0.
In the second half Chapel Hill kept the pressure on Marvin Ridge to try a score early to break the backs of the Mavericks. However, the defense stepped up and the Mavericks picked up the pace and got their footing in the 53rd minute when Jones volleyed a nice cross from Zenou Tchamwa. The shot on goal was low to the ground on target, however, the Tigers goalkeeper was able to make the important save keeping the score 1-0.
The Mavericks had a great run this season. They finished second in the Southern Carolina 3A Conference with a 12-2 record. Their overall record for the season was 21-4, which is a very good campaign. They played exceptionally well in the State Championship series to make it to the finals. The Mavericks made their fourth Championship appearance and their first since 2016. Chapel Hill earned their fifth State Championship with the win in eight appearances. Congratulations Mavericks on an exciting season journey!