HS Soccer Stop: Big matches highlight final week of regular season, plus new Sweet 16

The boys’ soccer regular season will end with a couple of big matches for Charlotte-area public school teams.

Meanwhile, two private school teams in The Observer’s Sweet 16 rankings remain in the running for state championships.

The public school season ends Thursday, and pairings for the N.C. High School Athletic Association playoffs will be released Friday. First-round matches are set for next Monday.

Top-ranked Providence has wrapped up the Southwestern 4A Conference championship and closes the regular season Tuesday night at home against East Mecklenburg.

But second-ranked Weddington finishes its season Tuesday at Marvin Ridge, which trails the Warriors by just one match in the Southern Carolina 4A Conference. A Marvin Ridge victory would leave a two-way tie.

▪ Also facing tough final-week matches are No. 4 Myers Park and No. 6 Cox Mill.

Myers Park plays Tuesday at No. 11 Ardrey Kell. The host Knights already have clinched the SoMeck 4A title, with an 11-0 conference record. Myers Park is 9-2.

▪ Cox Mill has an especially daunting week. The Chargers host Greater Metro 4 4A leader Hickory Ridge on Tuesday, then travel to A.L. Brown on Wednesday and South Iredell on Thursday. Cox Mill is still in the race for the conference title.

In the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association playoffs, No. 3 Carmel Christian hosts Charlotte Country Day at 4 p.m. Tuesday in the 4A semifinals. The Cougars are aiming for a third straight berth in the finals. The state championship will be played Saturday.

And No. 14 Gaston Day travels to Davidson Day on Tuesday in the 2A quarterfinals. The 2A finals also are set for Saturday.

Big matches this week

TUESDAY

Charlotte Country Day (18-6) vs. No. 3 Carmel Christian (13-1), at Matthews SportsPlex, 4 p.m. – This is a semifinal match in the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association’s 4A playoffs. The winner plays for the state title Saturday. Carmel Christian has been in the finals the last two years.

No. 14 Gaston Day (13-2) at Davidson Day (14-3-1), 4:30 p.m. – This is an NCISAA 2A quarterfinal match. Gaston Day is the defending 2A state champion, but the Eagles were trounced 5-2 by Davidson Day on Aug. 23.

No. 8 Hickory (16-1-3) at Charlotte Catholic (12-6-1), 5:30 p.m. – It’s an interesting nonconference match. Hickory, led by Orlando Almazoza (15 goals, nine assists) is aiming at a high seed in the 3A playoffs. The host Cougars would like to score a big victory to improve their 4A seeding.

No. 4 Myers Park (14-3) at No. 10 Ardrey Kell (13-3-1), 7 p.m. – These teams met just 11 days ago, with sophomore goalkeeper Cole Freeman making several big saves in Ardrey Kell’s 2-1 victory.

Hickory Ridge (13-2-2) at No. 6 Cox Mill (12-2-5), 7 p.m. – These teams, along with Lake Norman, make up a powerful trio in the Greater Metro 4 4A Conference. The conference’s championship is still up for grabs.

WEDNESDAY

No. 11 Hibriten (15-3) at South Caldwell (11-4-3), 6 p.m. – The Panthers, a 3A team, beat their Caldwell County rivals (a 4A team) 4-2 on Oct. 10.

Steve Lyttle on Twitter: @slyttle

The Observer’s Sweet 16

Dropped out: Hickory Ridge (4A). In contention: Hickory Ridge (4A; 13-2-2); North Mecklenburg (4A; 14-4-2); Hopewell (4A; 13-3-3); Jay M. Robinson (2A; 19-2-1); Shelby (2A; 15-3-2); Gray Stone Day (1A; 16-3-1); Union Academy (1A; 13-3-1); Charlotte Country Day (Ind.; 16-3-1); Davidson Day (Ind.; 14-3-1); Concord Academy (Ind.; 13-5).

This story was originally published October 25, 2022 at 10:29 AM.