2A State Finals' Best Players

The <a href="https://www.nchsaa.org/bracket/2025-2a-womens-soccer-bracket/">2A</a> State finals gave us a showdown between the best of the best in each region. <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/nc/wake-forest/franklin-academy-patriots/soccer/girls/spring/schedule/">Franklin Academy</a> finished as the first seed in the East and faced off against the first seed in the West, <a href="https://www.maxpreps.com/nc/mooresville/pine-lake-preparatory-pride/soccer/girls/spring/schedule/">Pine Lake Prep</a>. A final worthy of the two most consistently impressive teams, there was no lack of action. The teams put on a show, where Pine Lake struck first, going into the half with the lead. Though Franklin tied the game up early in the second half, Pine Lake got their winner with less than 15 minutes before the final whistle. Such an exciting match could only have been possible with the sacrifice that each facet of both teams showed. Everybody on the pitch played their part, but the following rose above the rest.    Victoria is a deep-lying midfielder who controls the middle of the park both on and off the ball. Her positioning is fantastic, always knowing where to go to anticipate passes. Snuffing out attacks at the bud is a phenomenal quality she has, even when she's not anticipating them. A rigid duel-winner, she has no fear in going toe-to-toe with any midfielder. She imposes herself physically, helping to do so both in the heart of the park as well as higher up the pitch. On the ball, she provides much-needed clarity. Opening up the play, she helps create spaces in the middle while she exploits spaces out wide. Her vision is just as good as her composure, picking out passes that help progress her team's attacks.     Despite the loss, Griffin showed how talented she is throughout the whole match. Her shot-stopping is her main attribute, made possible thanks to her height. Making herself massive, she always made sure that she got to the ball. Facing such a talented attack forced her into action more often, and she rose to the occasion, showing her mental fortitude. Her reactions also made it a hard task for the opposing attack to beat her in the box. One-on-ones are also a strength of hers, only being beaten through a perfect finish.     Despite not getting a direct goal contribution, Dahlia put on a show and kept the opposing defense busy. The left-winger has great intelligence when it comes to opening up play. She does this both on and off the ball, making her a constant danger. Her constant runs at the defenders put immense pressure on them, forcing them into quick and imprecise decisions. With her immense stamina, she tires the opposition defense all match long. Her ability on the ball also allows her to be more of a threat from wide. Constantly looking to play passes into open spaces in the channels, she looks to exploit the spaces she creates.     Kayla is a phenomenal talent in the final third whose potential can take her to great heights. Playing as an attacking midfielder, she fully takes the reins of her team's attack. On the ball, she's electric, especially when she has her eyes set on goal. The way she rids herself of defenders is remarkable, skipping past them with ease. Her pace and physicality also allow her to dribble past defenders if she needs to call upon said abilities. When she looks up, she only has the mentality for the play to end in danger. If it's too difficult for her to finish a play herself, she has the intelligence to play a great ball to a teammate in a better position. When she does have the chance to finish the play, she does so spectacularly. She has the composure to put the ball in the back of the net calmly.     Sadie is not just a player with potential to have a fantastic and prolific career, she's also a player who plays at a level above her peers. Listing all her attributes in a short excerpt would be difficult. However, her main ones are her dribbling, agility, intelligence, and finishing. Playing as the sole striker, she keeps the opposing center-backs busy all match long. When she receives the ball, she clears her own path brilliantly. Her ability to maneuver past defenders in tight spaces swiftly and skillfully puts her in prime positions to shoot, even when it seemed impossible. When she's one-on-one with the keeper, she keeps her composure to slot it in the back of the net easily. She demonstrates talent far above her age as she has a fantastic goal tally for the season.

The 2A State finals gave us a showdown between the best of the best in each region. Franklin Academy finished as the first seed in the East and faced off against the first seed in the West, Pine Lake Prep. A final worthy of the two most consistently impressive teams, there was no lack of action. The teams put on a show, where Pine Lake struck first, going into the half with the lead. Though Franklin tied the game up early in the second half, Pine Lake got their winner with less than 15 minutes before the final whistle. Such an exciting match could only have been possible with the sacrifice that each facet of both teams showed. Everybody on the pitch played their part, but the following rose above the rest.