Ardrey Kell boys soccer stops Lake Norman on the road for fifth straight win

Ardrey Kell’s boys’ high school soccer team is riding a hot streak.

After a pair of ties to start the season — 2-2 at Asheville and 1-1 at Providence — the Knights won their fifth straight match Tuesday, 2-1 at Lake Norman in a battle of the North Carolina 4A heavyweights.

Ardrey Kell improved to 5-0-2; Lake Norman fell to 6-2.

“Anytime you’re on the road against a quality opponent like Lake Norman, you’ve got to stay composed,” said Ardrey Kell coach Adam Henry. “The game got physical in the second half and I thought our boys did a good job of staying within the system.”

Ardrey Kell forward Brenden Fragale broke through Lake Norman’s defense and kicked the ball just over goalkeeper’s head to score the first points of the match during the first half.

Early into the second half, midfielder Maksym Lenda slipped by Lake Norman defenders to blast a goal into the corner of the net to take a 2-0 lead.

Ardrey Kell’s all-state goalkeeper Cole Freeman registered five saves including a high-flying fingertip save in the second half.

Lake Norman got on the board with 5:20 to play when Gareth Siemers scored a penalty kick, but Ardrey Kell closed the door defensively after that.

Three who made a difference

Cole Freeman, Ardrey Kell: The all-state captain recorded fives saves.

Brenden Fragale, Ardrey Kell: Fragale scored the first goal.of the match in the first half.

Maksym Lenda, Ardrey Kell: Antista scored the second goal for Ardrey Kell.

What’s next

Ardey Kell will look to continue its win streak against Cuthbertson at home on Thursday.

Lake Norman will hit the road to take on Butler on Thursday.