South Lenoir coach David Whaley talks to the team after the Blue Devil's’ second-round playoff game against Croatan Thursday. The Blue Devils’ tied for a school-record 10 victories, a mark set in 2018. Photo by Junious Smith III / Neuse News

By Junious Smith III

BROAD CREEK — One game shouldn’t dictate South Lenoir’s girls’ soccer season.

Although the team fell to No. 1 Croatan 9-0 in the NCHSAA 2A second round Thursday, it couldn’t completely dampen the best two-year stretch in Blue Devils history.

South Lenoir never won 10 games in a season until last year and matched the total after the team’s first playoff win since 2014. The Blue Devils (10-6) defeated East Montgomery on the road 2-1 Tuesday, getting a goal from Candace Pierce with 20 minutes left to tie the game before Gracie Reavis’ scored the game-winner nine minutes later.

South Lenoir coach David Whaley said his six seniors — Pierce, Catherine Edwards, Sydney Edwards, Keelin Howard, Hailey Lewis and JaQuoia McClain — played a great role throughout.

“They’ve given us a lot of leadership and hopefully set the blueprint on how to win for years to come,” Whaley said. “This was the winningest class we’ve had by far and while we’re definitely going to miss them, they really helped teach a talented group of sophomores and juniors we’ll have coming back next year.”

South Lenoir won 30 games over the past four years, including three second-place finishes in the Eastern Carolina Conference.

“This means everything to me,” McClain said. “We really pushed each other hard and were able to have some success.”

Pierce said the Blue Devils had great chemistry and the team really made an impact over the last two seasons.

“It’s beyond amazing,” Pierce said. “I felt like we really came as one this year and gave everything we had.”

Edwards said she hopes it continues with the returning players.

“We hope they do even better than us and continue to help make this program strong,” Edwards said. “It’s been a great ride.”