Newton-Conover wins NCHSAA 2A boys soccer title

Newton-Conover won the third N.C. High School Athletic Association state soccer title in school history Saturday at N.C. State.

Newton-Conover won a grueling 1-0 win over First Flight.

First Flight sent 15 shots at Newon sophomore goalie Jon Joplin, who got 11 saves.

And in the 58th minute, Newton-Conover’s Francisco Tapia got the ball at midfield facing three defenders. He dribbled past the defense and scored, getting the ball just to the left of First Flight keeper Stryker Owens. Owens was named the starting goalie when First Flight’s starter, Lucas Neitherlander, injured his hand in pregame warmups.

Tapia was named the match MVP.

First Flight ended the season 21-2. It won the Eastern Regional for the second straight year and fourth time in school history. Newton-Conover finished 27-0-2.

This story was originally published November 18, 2017 at 10:19 PM with the headline "Newton-Conover wins NCHSAA 2A boys soccer title."