Smoky Mountain girls soccer end seven-year NCHSAA playoff drought with 6-0 victory
Coach Abby Buenting credits the senior class for their perseverance after a difficult first half, marking a significant turnaround for the program
Smoky Mountain girls soccer have secured their first North Carolina High School Athletic Association 5A playoff victory since 2017, defeating No. 23 ranked North Gaston 6-0 in the first round of the tournament. The match, played on May 11, saw the Mustangs advance to face No. 7 Forestview in the second round on May 14.
The victory marks a significant turnaround for the program, which previously suffered a heart-breaking overtime loss to West Henderson on April 7. Heading into the match, Smoky Mountain held a record of 13-9-2. The team's ability to maintain composure when early shots were saved or went wide demonstrated a level of growth that was absent in their previous playoff appearance.
Senior players provided the crucial leadership required to see the team through a challenging first half. The senior class consists of eight players, with Ali Klaire Nicholson scoring her fifth goal of the season to help open the scoring. Her goal in the 21st minute, assisted by Isabel Brun, broke the deadlock and allowed the team to establish control over the match.
Coach Abby Buenting attributed the result to the perseverance of the squad, noting that the win is a "dream" for the group. She highlighted that the seniors, who have worked hard since Thanksgiving, were driven by a personal desire to succeed. Buenting remarked that while frustration can lead to a team bailing out easily, staying the course was essential to overcoming the early struggles.
Junior Macy Craft also played a pivotal role in the match, though her initial breakaway attempt in the 21st minute was ruled offside by the assistant referee. Craft noted that the leadership and morale provided by the senior class helped the team persist through the first half, making the practice environment more enjoyable and supportive.
With the 6-0 scoreline secured, the Mustangs will now look to build on this momentum against the highly ranked No. 7 Forestview. The win ends a seven-year drought for NCHSAA playoff victories for the school, restoring confidence to a program that had previously faltered in similar high-stakes scenarios.
