12 local teams in NCHSAA girls soccer and softball playoffs

By Richard Walker

Crest’s 2021 Big South 3A Conference championship softball team

Twelve Cleveland, Gaston and Lincoln county teams will enter the state playoffs next week seeking more glory after the N.C. High School Athletic Association announced postseason pairings for softball and girls soccer teams.

In softball, Crest, East Lincoln and Mountain Island Charter will host Monday first round games after winning their respective conference championships while Burns, Cherryville and Kings Mountain will play Monday road games

In girls soccer, Crest and South Point will host Monday first round games after winning their respective conference championships while Forestview, Shelby, East Lincoln and Lincoln Charter will play Monday road games.

Crest’s softball team takes a perfect 12-0 record and No. 1 seeding into Monday’s Class 3A game against West Rowan. The Chargers of coach Greg Earl are making their 14th straight playoff appearance and outscored opponents 141-7 this season behind senior Mackenzie Hayes (.710 average, six home runs, 20 RBIs, 9-0 pitching record, 0.14 ERA, 118 strikeouts).

East Lincoln’s softball team takes a 13-1 record and No. 2 seeding into Monday’s Class 2A game against Mountain Heritage. The Mustangs of coach Michael Freeman are making their 11th straight playoff appearance and outscored opponents 117-9 this season behind senior Payton Baker (12-0 pitching record, 0.44 ERA, 81 strikeouts), junior Taliyah Thomas (.562 average, five home runs, 16 RBIs) and sophomore Betsy Eatmon (.578 average, six home runs, 27 RBIs).

Mountain Island Charter’s softball team takes a 12-0 record and No. 3 seeding into Monday’s Class 1A game against Swain County. The Raptors of coach Eric Brown are making their fourth straight playoff appearance and outscored opponents 176-16 this season behind senior Chloe Hatzopoulos (.676 average six home runs, 31 RBIs) and senior Alexandra Bell (11-0 pitching record, 1.32 ERA, 87 strikeouts).

Burns’ softball team takes an 8-4 record and No. 13 seeding into Monday’s Class 2A game at West Wilkes. The Bulldogs of coach Joni Wellmon are making their first playoff appearance since 2015.

Cherryville’s softball team takes a 7-6 record and No. 16 seeding into Monday’s Class 3A game at South Stanly. The Ironmen of coach Callie Hahn are making their second straight playoff appearance and 24th in 24 years.

South Point’s 2021 Southwestern 2A Conference championship girls soccer team

Kings Mountain’s softball team takes an 8-5 record and No. 9 seeding into Monday’s Class 3A game at Piedmont. The Mountaineers of coach Kevin Cruise are making their 17th straight playoff appearance.

South Point’s girls soccer team takes a perfect 14-0 record and No. 1 seeding into Monday’s Class 2A game against Central Davidson. The Red Raiders of Chris Baity have outscored their opponents 103-4 and have been led by sophomore Grace Smith (28 goals, 11 assists), senior Brooke Villamagne (22 goals, 6 assists), junior Jordan Villemagne (16 goals, 9 assists), senior Abbey Martin (12 goals, 2 assists) and junior Emme Lewandowski (4 goals, 17 assists). South Point is making its 19th straight playoff appearance.

Crest’s girls soccer team takes a 12-1 record and No. 1 seeding into Monday’s Class 3A game against Watauga. The Chargers of coach makes its fourth straight playoff appearance under coach Zachary Wortman after winning its first league title since 2011 by outscoring their opponents 79-7. Crest has been led by junior Madison Setzer (23 goals, 8 assists), junior Cadence Walker (16 goals, 18 assists), junior Kalee Varga (15 goals, 4 assists), senior Alexis Marshall (9 goals, 5 assists), senior Jillian Hux (7 goals, 10 assists) and senior Leslie Gonzalez (6 goals, 4 assists). Crest is making its fourth straight playoff appearance.

Forestview’s girls soccer team takes a 10-1-1 record and No. 10 seeding into Monday’s Class 3A game at Charlotte Catholic. The Jaguars of coach Stanley Janik are making their 22nd straight playoff appearance.

Shelby’s girls soccer team takes a 10-3-1 record and No. 11 seeding into Monday’s Class 2A game at Winston-Salem Atkins. The Golden Lions of coach David Steeves are making their 22nd straight playoff appearance.

Crest’s 2021 Big South 3A Conference championship girls soccer team

East Lincoln’s girls soccer team takes an 11-3 record and No. 12 seeding into Monday’s Class 2A game at North Davidson. The Mustangs of coach Jason Dragoon are making their 17th straight playoff appearance.

Lincoln Charter’s girls soccer team takes a 7-3 record and No. 14 seeding into Monday’s Class 1A game at Highlands. The Eagles of coach Luis Soto are making their ninth straight playoff appearance.