The faces of the spring: NCHSAA softball, soccer and golf previews

Area high school soccer, softball and golf seasons begin this week for N.C. High School Athletic Association public school teams. Here is the Observer’s annual preview of some of the top teams and players in those sports.

High school baseball, girls tennis, track and wrestling begin practice April 12 and start the season April 26.

Athletes to watch

Caileen Almeida, Myers Park Girls’ Soccer: The Wofford College signee was invited to train with the U17 Puerto Rican National team, according to Myers Park soccer coach Bucky McCarley. This year, Almeida is back to a lead a Mustangs’ squad that went 17-1-2 overall, including a perfect 14-0 in Southwestern 4A conference play in 2019.

Noah Bumgarner, West Caldwell Golf: The three-time Northwestern 3A/4A conference player of the year is coming off a standout junior season as he was named the National Junior Golf Association (NJGA) player of the year in January.

Bumgarner, who averaged 72.9 (per 18 holes) last season, is looking to finish high school by helping himself and his team contend for a 2A state title.

Faith Carrigan, Alexander Central softball: The Cougars’ pitcher was 16-5 with 150 strikeouts in 120 innings with a 2.27 ERA in the 2019 season. She also hit .375.

Last year, Carrigan was even better going 4-0 with 30 strikeouts, while hitting .625 with two home runs in the COV-19 shortened season.

Ellie Goins, Mooresville Softball: The N.C. State commit and Mooresville shortstop hit .493 with five home runs and 10 RBI while leading the Blue Devils (27-5) to the 4A West Regional final in 2019. This year, Goins and senior catcher Emma Chopko (Pfeiffer University commit) make the Blue Devils a legitimate state title contender.

Mackenzie Hayes, Crest Softball: The USC Upstate commit and all-state performer looks to build on a monster sophomore season (2019) when she hit .557 with 15 doubles, eight home runs and 40 RBI at the plate, while going 14-0 with 159 strikeouts in 72.1 innings in the circle.

This year, Hayes leads a Chargers’ team with seven seniors in the lineup that should challenge for Big South conference and 3A state championships.

Ella Joaquin, Porter Ridge Soccer: The Charlotte 49ers’ commit is a senior defensive midfielder who also make an impact on offense. In the 2019 season, Joaquin scored 16 goals, while dishing out 20 assists for 15-6 Pirates’ team as a sophomore.

This year, Joaquin is one of nine starters back for a team that should be a serious SW4A conference contender.

Kylie LaRousa, Hickory Ridge Softball: The Ragin’ Bulls’ senior catcher had a breakout season in 2019, hitting .351 with eight home runs and 35 RBI.

She was also named Charlotte Area Hot Stove Catcher of the Year.

This year, the Appalachian State commit returns to lead a Hickory Ridge team that won 18 games (in 2019), including the SW4A conference title, advancing to the 4A state quarterfinals.

Sadie Lee, South Stanly Softball: The Belmont Abbey signee is 33-7 in her career as a pitcher, with 222 strikeouts in 221.2 innings, including eight no-hitters and one perfect game.

This year, Lee looks to add her resume after going 19-3 with 103 strikeouts, 10 shutouts, four no-hitters and one perfect game in the 2019 season, while also batting .400 with seven doubles, four home runs and 20 RBI for a 22-3 team.

Skyler Walk, Providence Girls’ Soccer: The 2019 SoMeck7 Conference player of the year and Appalachian State commit had 12 goals and six assists as a sophomore. This year, Walk leads a veteran group with seven starters back from the two-time, defending league champions.

Teams to watch

Ardrey Kell Girls’ Golf Team: The Knights return four starters from a 2019 squad that finished fourth at the 4A state championship match.

This year, Ardrey Kell boasts a deep team with seniors Hannah Lindemann (22nd at states in 2019) and Zoey Key joining junior Shea Smith (26th at states in 2019) and sophomore Nicole Nash (17th at states in 2019) that will give the Knights another chance to be 4A state contenders in 2021.

Charlotte Catholic Boys’ Golf Team: The two-time defending 3A state champions (2018, 2019) lost a lot with seven seniors, including three Division I golfers from that run.

However, Charlotte Catholic senior Nick Rubino (Hampden-Sydney College commit) and freshman Cornell Beans (No. 2 ranked player in the class of 2024 in the Tarheel Youth Golf Association) are both coming off strong summers on the junior circuit and looking to help the Cougars’ stay on top.

Cox Mill Girls’ Golf Team: The defending 3A state champions (2019) return the core of that team with senior Riya Modak (12th at states in 2019) and junior Kennedy Brady (16th at states in 2019) looking to lead the way to another title run.

Hough Girls’ Soccer Team: The Huskies’ girls’ soccer team will be loaded once again as 15 players, including four Division I commits, return to the roster.

Coach David Smith has talent all over the field led by senior midfielder Ella Hauser, (Clemson commit), senior forward Sydney Minarik (Clemson commit), senior defender Camden Poole (Charlotte 49ers’ commit) and sophomore forward Kennedy Bell (North Carolina commit).

Hough has averaged 18 wins per season over the past five years and should be an I-Meck conference and 4A state contender again this spring.

Lake Norman Charter Boys’ Golf Team: The Knights were dominant in 2019, winning the 2A state championship by 31 shots.

This year, Lake Norman Charter returns a veteran cast with senior two-time all-state performer Carter Busse (East Carolina commit), classmate Brandon Spinks (Belmont Abbey commit) and junior Ben Bailey.

Myers Park Boys’ Golf Team: The Mustangs made history in 2019, winning the program’s first 4A state championship in 63 years (1956), outlasting New Bern by two shots.

Coach Jason Lockwood has another deep team with eight players back from 2020, including seniors Cole Chambers (37.1 average; tied for 6th at 2019 states) and Pearse Lucas (37.3 average, tied for 13th at 2019 states), who will try to make another championship run.

Union Academy Girls’ Soccer Team: The Cardinals’ girls’ soccer team has won 48 straight games, including two 1A state championships (2018, 2019) in that span.

With seven starters back, led by seniors Mia Fraticelli, Mya Manivanh and Ashley Rodgers, Union Academy is a favorite to 3-peat.