Ardrey Kell falls to Leesville Road again
23.02.91
CARY - Ardrey Kell weathered the storm that halted Friday's N.C. 4A girls' soccer state final versus Raleigh Leesville Road - at WakeMed Park - midway through the first half. Sufficient damage, though, already had been done.
Before thunder rolled and lightning struck above Koka Booth Field, the Purple Knights trailed thanks to Rachel Hunter's 19th-minute conversion. Deja vu? Try 2008 and 2009, when Ardrey Kell was shut out by the Pride in the state final, like this spring's 3-0 decision.
"I thought we just were taken out of our game by Leesville Road," Ardrey Kell coach Jeff Mercado said. "They're a powerful team. They're an impressive team to watch.
"I think they were a little bit more powerful than in years past."
Friday's outcome matched the score of the 2008 title tilt - one season before the Pride prevailed via penalty kicks in the rematch that finished regulation scoreless. The only extra time needed in 2011 was for additional warmups about 10:30 p.m. before the match was restarted approximately 15 minutes later with 21:41 to go until halftime.
Source: Charlotte Observer