Highlands – On May 7, the Murphy women’s soccer team concluded their regular season with a tie against rivals Highlands.
In the 100-minute match, Murphy struck first with a goal from senior Lailee Holloway. In the second half, Highlands tied the match when they scored on a penalty kick. After 80 minutes of regulation, the match headed to extra time. After the two 10-minute periods, the match remained tied and ended in a 1-1 draw.
Per North Carolina High School Athletic Association rules, conference matched that are tied after regulation will go to a two-period extra time with 10 minutes each.
Murphy’s strong backline and goalkeeping was on display again in a tough Smoky Mountain Conference match. Junior Isabel Parker led the Lady Bulldogs in steals with 12. Tina Bui and Haile Hill had 10 steals each. Goalkeeper Emma Ledford had 15 saves on 16 shots on goal. Highlands’ goal came on a penalty kick, but Ledford saved the match by blocking a second PK from the Highlanders.
On May 13, the Lady Bulldogs headed to Gastonia to take on Highland Tech (14-4-1) in the first round of the 1A playoffs. The Lady Rams won 5-0 to advance. Murphy held them to one goal in the first half, but the Lady Rams took off and scored four goals to solidify the win. This was the first time Murphy was held scoreless since April 4 when they lost to Franklin. Swain, Franklin and Highland Tech are the only teams to shutout the Lady Bulldogs this season.
The Lady Bulldogs finished the regular season with an 11-3-2 overall record and an 8-2-2 SMC record. They finished third and Swain County won the conference after defeating Highlands 9-4 on May 10.