Myers Park pays tribute to deceased student Parker South at playoff soccer game

Before Thursday’s regional championship soccer match against West Forsyth, Myers Park High School officials handed out special T-shirts to students and fans to honor Parker South, who died this week.

South, 18, was a senior who would have played baseball next spring. South was also a big fan of the soccer team, students said, and frequently came to matches.

South died Tuesday, and the school announced his death on its social media pages later that day.

“It is with great sadness that we share that one of our students, William ‘Parker’ South, a Myers Park senior, died today,” the post read. “Our thoughts, prayers and sympathies are with his family and friends. Parker is well-known by his friends for his loyalty, engaging personality and loving spirit. He will be deeply missed by our school and in our extended community.”

Playing with heavy hearts, the Mustangs fell Thursday night to West Forsyth, 1-0 in overtime, the result a footnote on a night of camaraderie and solidarity in the Myers Park school community.

The shirts many among the crowd wore were white with green lettering, to match the school colors. The front read, “Play for Parker.” The back had the number 9 that he wore for the baseball team.

One of the Mustangs’ soccer players, senior midfielder Henry Boner, changed his jersey from No. 16 to No. 9 for the match.

In the stands, a Myers Park grief counselor directed a Charlotte Observer reporter to speak to Nina Shah-Khan, a student at Providence Day. She was South’s girlfriend.

“He was such a light,” she said, fighting back tears. “So (Myers Park is) playing for the joy he brought to everyone, and the way he was on and off the baseball field, embodying that every day. Just playing free like he was, and having fun like he always did.”

The story of the game, more reaction

For most of the 105 minutes and 51 seconds Myers Park was on its home field against visiting West Forsyth on Thursday night, the Mustangs’ emotion-filled players, fans and coaches expected a victory that would send them to next week’s state championship game.

A Myers Park community reeling after South’s death Tuesday rallied in support with a large and vocal crowd.

Yet, in the end, despite far more scoring opportunities, the visiting Titans stole away with a 1-0 victory in the second sudden-death overtime period in the 106th minute of play to win the Western N.C. Class 8A title game.

“Sometimes these are games of survival,” said veteran Myers Park coach Bucky McCarley, whose team’s season ended at 18-2. “Their keeper did an absolute fantastic job. We have a lot of dangerous threats, and they managed to keep them locked up just enough.”

The sudden defeat devastated the Mustangs, many of whom lay motionless on the field, some with tears in their eyes.

However, virtually all of the approximately 500 people who came to support Myers Park formed a ring around the sideline near the Mustangs’ bench and then came en masse onto the field to console the team.

“Obviously sweet and sour,” said the Mustangs’ Aidan Wilson, one of 11 seniors who saw their high school careers come to an end. “You know, I feel like we’ve been wanting a state championship for these past four years. It’s rough to lose it. But if you look around, everybody here is supporting this team. Honestly, that’s the most important thing.

“Their support has been great all season. Especially in the times we’re in with Parker South. It’s been rough on us in the Myers Park community. It’s good to know we’re all together.”

THREE WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE

Fernando Espinoza, West Forsyth: Titans goalkeeper made 12 saves against a Myers Park offense that outshot West Forsyth 18-7.

Campden Bishop, West Forsyth: His goal with 4:09 left in the second five-minute sudden-death overtime period clinched the victory for the Titans, who advance to their first-ever state championship match.

Henry Boner, Myers Park: Senior wore No. 9 in honor of the late William “Parker” South instead of his usual No. 16 and provided energy throughout the match for the Mustangs with a team-high five shots.

Notable

— Myers Park is now 7-7 in Western finals playoff games since the N.C. High School Athletic Association took over soccer postseason play in 1977.

— Several Myers Park fans wore No. 9 T-shirts with “Play for Parker” on the front to support South and the Mustangs.

— West Forsyth (20-2-2) will enter the state championship match with 14 shutouts in 24 games this season. The Titans have yielded 17 goals.

They said it

“I never doubted us for a second. Sometimes sports, you know, doesn’t fall your way.” — Myers Park senior Aidan Wilson

This story was originally published November 13, 2025 at 7:56 PM.