05.16.10
By Tim Donelli
The Charlotte Observer
Charlotte Latin and Charlotte Country Day played 71 minutes of scoreless girls' soccer in a match befitting a state championship game.
But after 80 minutes of play, the Hawks of Latin had won their third straight NCISAA girls' state soccer title with a 1-0 victory against the rival Bucs.
With nine minutes left in regulation, Latin's McCallie Jones found herself alone in the box after taking a pass from McKay Kirkland. Jones quickly chipped a shot that landed just underneath the crossbar and into the upper right-hand corner of Country Day's goal for the game-winner.
"It was shocking that somehow I ended up open," said Jones. "You've got to capitalize on those and I thought it was over (the crossbar), but soccer is a game of inches and it happened to be 2 inches short of going over."
Latin's defense was led by senior goalkeeper Kristin Horton, daughter of Hawks coach Lee Horton. She allowed only two goals all season, helping Latin to an undefeated season at 19-0-0.
Following Jones' late goal, Country Day had one last quality scoring opportunity to tie the game, but Courtney Stutts' shot with five minutes left in the contest sailed over the crossbar.
Country Day (15-5-1) had periods of dominating play but couldn't find the back of the net. The Bucs also benefitted from a stellar game from goalkeeper Katie Daniel, who thwarted several Latin scoring chances to keep Country Day in the game.
It was a tough loss for the Buccaneers, who lost for a third time this season to the Hawks, with each defeat coming by one goal.
Seven Latin seniors closed their careers with another state championship, their third in four trips to the finals.
"For this group to win three in a row is incredible," coach Horton said. "It was sweet for them to be the first ones to win three in a row. The rest of the team followed their leadership, and the rest of the team wanted it for their seniors."
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