Hickory falls in N.C. 3A soccer finals

RALEIGH -- Senior midfielder Josh Schramme scored both Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons goals to lead the Crusaders to a 2-1 triumph over Hickory in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association state 3-A men’s soccer championship on Saturday at the Curtis and Jacqueline Dail Soccer Stadium at N.C. State University.

Schramme, who was named the Most Valuable Player in the championship, snapped a  1-1 tie in the 69th minute when he tallied off an assist from Tyler Zimmerman for the game winner. Schramme also scored the game-winning goal in overtime in the Crusaders' regional victory over Jacksonville.

 Gibbons took a 1-0 lead on a Schramme goal in the 13th minute, his 17th of the season, but Hickory came back to knot the score in the 61st minute when freshman Carlos Zevilla found the back of the net, assisted by Conner Hartman.

Junior keeper Chris Shannon had seven saves for the winners.

Gibbons was in the state finals for the fifth time in the last six seasons and won its first 3-A crown. The Crusaders, who didn't lose a match after August 28 this season, finished 23-1-2 and won their last 11 matches. Hickory played in its third championship match  but was in the finals for the first time since winning the 2001 3-A title. The Tornadoes ended the year 25-2-2.

 
NORTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION

2010 STATE 3-A MEN’S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP

Curtis and Jacqueline Dail Soccer Stadium, N.C. State University



Raleigh Cardinal Gibbons            1            1            --2           

Hickory                                              0            1            --1                       



            SCORING

13th minute            CG--Josh Schramme (Zach Millikan)

61st minute            H--Carlos Sevilla (Conner Hartman)

69th minute            CG--Josh Schramme (Tyler Zimmerman)

-- NCHSAA release