HS Soccer Stop: 2 losses cause shakeup atop Sweet 16 soccer rankings
Myers Park was atop the SoMeck 4A Conference a week ago and sitting in the No. 1 spot in the Observer’s Sweet 16 boys’ soccer rankings.
Now the Mustangs have a pair of conference losses, are likely to finish no better than second in their conference, and have dropped four spots in the Sweet 16.
Myers Park suffered losses last week to Ardrey Kell and South Mecklenburg and take a 7-2 conference record into this week’s matches. Ardrey Kell, at 10-0, can clinch the SoMeck title Tuesday night by beating Palisades (3-5).
The Mustangs’ tough week has caused a shakeup in the Sweet 16, with Providence returning to the No. 1 spot after sitting second for several weeks.
Providence has a big match of its own this week, hosting No. 11 Garinger in a Southwestern 4A match Thursday.
Also dropping several spots this week was Cox Mill, which fell from fourth to seventh after Monday’s 1-0 loss to 15th-ranked Hickory Ridge.
Big matches this week
TUESDAY
No. 2 Lake Norman (13-1-4) at No. 16 Hickory Ridge (13-1-2), 7 p.m. – Lake Norman won the teams’ first meeting, 3-2 in overtime on Sept. 22. The Wildcats led 2-0 early in that match before Hickory Ridge rallied. Lake Norman leads the Greater Metro 4 with an 8-0 mark, but Hickory Ridge (8-1) is right behind.
No. 12 Ardrey Kell (12-3-1) at Palisades (4-8-1), 7 p.m. – A victory for the Knights gives them the SoMeck 4A championship.
WEDNESDAY
East Lincoln (13-4-3) at St. Stephens (11-3-1), 6 p.m. – East Lincoln needs a victory to keep pace with Hickory atop the Western Foothills 3A. Each is 10-1-1. The Mustangs beat St. Stephens 5-3 on Sept. 26, with Aidan Morrison scoring three goals.
THURSDAY
Union Academy (12-3-1) at North Mecklenburg (13-4-1), 6 p.m. – The visiting Cardinals are a 1A team, facing a 4A opponent. But Union Academy is a dangerous foe, having scored six or more goals in eight of its matches this season.
No. 7 Cox Mill (11-2-5) at No. 2 Lake Norman (13-1-4), 7 p.m. – Lake Norman won the teams’ first meeting, 2-0 on Sept. 27.
No. 11 Garinger (15-4) at No. 1 Providence (15-2-1), 7 p.m. – Garinger’s return to soccer success would get an exclamation point if the Wildcats could knock off the Panthers.
2 special nights
East Mecklenburg has scheduled a pair of special promotions for its two home matches this week.
The Eagles’ home match at 7 p.m. Tuesday against Independence will be International Night, recognizing the 11 countries represented by players on the two teams. Two food trucks will be on site at East Mecklenburg.
And the 7 p.m. home match Thursday against Charlotte Catholic will be Kick Cancer Night. Admission to the match will be a donation to Claire’s Army, a nonprofit organization which helps victims of childhood cancer. Proceeds from all concessions sold also will benefit the organization.
The Observer’s Sweet 16 poll
Pos. | Team | Record | Class | Last wk. |
1. | Providence | 15-2-1 | 4A | 2 |
2. | Lake Norman | 13-1-4 | 4A | 3 |
3. | Weddington | 12-2-1 | 4A | 5 |
4. | Carmel Christian | 12-1 | Ind. | 6 |
5. | Myers Park | 12-3 | 4A | 1 |
6. | Concord | 16-1-3 | 3A | 7 |
7. | Cox Mill | 11-2-5 | 4A | 4 |
8. | Hickory | 14-1-3 | 3A | 8 |
9. | Christ the King | 11-3-5 | 1A | 10 |
10. | Hibriten | 13-2-3 | 3A | 11 |
11. | Garinger | 15-4 | 4A | 13 |
12. | Ardrey Kell | 12-3-1 | 4A | NR |
13. | Pine Lake Prep | 16-2 | 2A | 9 |
14. | Gaston Day | 12-2 | Ind. | 12 |
15. | Forestview | 14-1 | 3A | 14 |
16. | Hickory Ridge | 12-3-2 | 4A | 15 |
Dropped out: Hopewell (4A). In contention: Hopewell (4A, 12-3-2); St. Stephens (3A; 11-3-1); East Lincoln (3A, 13-4-3); Bandys (2A; 16-1); Jay M. Robinson (2A; 15-2-1); Shelby (2A; 14-2-2); Gray Stone Day (1A; 14-3-1); Charlotte Latin (Ind.; 11-6-1); Davidson Day (Ind.; 13-3-1).
Steve Lyttle on Twitter: @slyttle
This story was originally published October 18, 2022 at 6:30 AM.