Warlassies come up short in playoffs

A strong season for the Owen girls soccer team came to an end in Salisbury May 16.

After finishing the regular season 10-0 in the Western Highlands Conference and a 14-3-1 overall record, the Warlassies earned a number eight seed in the N.C. High School Athletic Association Soccer Championship tournament. Their playoff run to the championship fell short, in the third round.

Owen opened the tournament with a pair of wins at home. The Warlassies beat Maiden 4-0 in the opening round May 9 before dispatching the Central Academy of Technology and Arts, 2-1, May 12.

In the third round, head coach David Fiest’s team faced a tough opponent - Salisbury - on the road. The number one seed Hornets were 23-0 heading into the May 16 match against the Warlassies.

The score was tied through the first half of play, but heavy rain forced a two-and-a-half hour delay at the midway point. The Hornets netted two goals in the second half and advanced to the semi-final match against number four seed Forbush May 19.

The match did not end the way Fiest envisioned. But he spoke highly of his players the morning after the loss.

“I’m really proud of the girls for what they accomplished this year,” he said. “I appreciate the sacrifices they made for the team.”