First-ever NCHSAA Lacrosse Championships set for Saturday

May 13, 2010

North Carolina


CHAPEL HILL -- The North Carolina High School Athletic Association's first-ever state lacrosse championships are scheduled for Saturday afternoon at the WakeMed Soccer Park in Cary.

The women's final is scheduled for 1 p.m. with the men's championship at four o'clock. In this inaugural year for lacrosse in the NCHSAA, the tournaments have been conducted as "open" tournaments with all classifications competing for a single crown. As the number of schools fielding lacrosse teams grows, it is anticipated that the sport could become classified as other sports have been.

Wilmington Hoggard (17-1) will take on Charlotte Catholic (17-2) for the women's state crown. Hoggard won its third consecutive one-goal game in the playoffs and second straight overtime affair, beating East Chapel Hill 10-9 to advance.

Catholic rolled past Western Guilford 16-7, led by high-scoring all-state player Catherine Ellis, who scored five goals to run her season total to a whopping 83.

The men's state championship will send Charlotte Myers Park (18-1) against Apex (15-3). Myers Park, whose only loss on the year was to Charlotte Catholic, held off Greensboro Grimsley 12-6 in the regional final Tuesday night to advance to the championship game.

William Lowe of Myers Park had a hat trick to push his season total for goals to 46, while Craig Passenant has added 33. Karl Wagner has been excellent in goal.

Apex downed previously unbeaten East Chapel Hill 13-6 on Tuesday night, taking control with eight unanswered goals over a 17-minute stretch. Senior Ross Whitehead had five goals and three assists for Apex, which is unbeaten since he returned to the lineup after a wrist injury.

Tickets for the championship are eight dollars, or a ten-dollar pass for both games.

NORTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
1st ANNUAL LACROSSE STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS
WakeMed Soccer Park, Cary News

Women's Championship, 1 p.m.
Wilmington Hoggard (17-1) vs. Charlotte Catholic (17-2)

Men's Championship, 4 p.m.
Charlotte Myers Park (18-1) vs. Apex (15-3)