Hough soccer falls to nationally ranked Cardinal Gibbons in 4A state final

Hough High went to Raleigh Saturday in search of the school’s first state boys soccer state championship.

The Huskies, ranked No. 43 nationally by TopDrawerSoccer.com, had their chances but ultimately had a 23-game win streak snapped by Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons, losing 2-1 at N.C. State. Gibbons (23-0-2) is ranked No. 13 nationally and won its sixth state championship in boys soccer, its first since moving up to the 4A class three years ago.

“We’ve never finished the season undefeated. We tried not to talk about it too much,” said Gibbons coach Tim Healy.

Hough coach David Smith said his team didn’t capitalize on its scoring chances, and Gibbons did.

“It boiled down to them finishing a couple chances,” Smith said. “We only finished one. It sounds simple, but it really boiled down to a couple of opportunities they took advantage of.”

The Huskies had a definite size advantage in the match and was often winning the headers early on. But the Crusaders, smaller and quicker, made an adjustment, keeping the ball on the ground and using quick passes to get an early lead. Jackson Hollenbach, the match MVP, made a slick pass to Jack Zarnik just outside the box 24 minutes into the match. Zarnik manuvered past two Huskies defenders and sent a right footed kick into the back of the net for a 1-0.

“The strength of our team is our leadership,” Healy said. “It’s a bunch of kids who care and love each other and because of that they’re willing to work hard and do the work to be selfless, to do the work and come back.”

Four minutes later, though, Hough answered when Davis Ashbrook found Kyle Jeffrey for a tying goal.

The teams went into halftime tied before Gibbons scored the game-winner on a corner kick in the second half. Gibbons got a corner kick from Sal Bottone which swung in towards the Hough goal. Hollenbach headed it in.

Hough threatened several times, particularly in the final 10 minutes, but Gibbons’ defense was good enough to hold on -- and a win a title. Despite losing, Hough star Jackson Raymer said reaching the state final is an experience he’ll never forget.

“I think it’s representing the school, and the fans that come out,” he said. “Today, we had great fans that came, and drove two-and-a-half hours out here…Just being able to soak that in, represent your school, and wear your jersey, it’s a great feeling.”

This story was originally published November 18, 2017 at 9:54 PM with the headline "Hough soccer falls to nationally ranked Cardinal Gibbons in 4A state final."