Cedar Ridge Women’s Soccer

This week’s Cedar Ridge Red Wolf of the Week is sophomore soccer striker Fleury Nicholson This season, Nicholson was the leading scorer for the Cedar Ridge women’s soccer team. She amassed eleven goals and eight assists. Nicholson started the season with a hat trick against Northern Durham on February 27 at James Armstrong Stadium, where the Red Wolves came away with a 5-0 win. Nicholson scored the game-winning goal against Voyager Academy on March 6, a 2-1 victory for Cedar Ridge. In the Red Wolves’ first-ever game against Eno River Academy, Nicholson scored a goal as Cedar Ridge emerged with a 3-1 win at Red Wolves Stadium on April 5. In 34 career games for Cedar Ridge, Nicholson has scored 23 goals and 56 points. As a freshman, Nicholson scored 12 goals. In just her second varsity game, Nicholson had a hat trick in a win over Clover Garden School. In her first varsity game, she scored two goals in Cedar Ridge’s 5-0 win over South Granville. Cedar Ridge ended its regular season on Wednesday night with a 3-0 loss to Walter Williams in Burlington. Cedar Ridge is on the bubble to make the 3A State Playoffs. Regardless, Nicholson will continue to lead Cedar Ridge as she goes on with her career.

The Cedar Ridge women’s soccer team is fighting for a spot in the 3A State Playoffs. It would be the first time they’ve clinched a spot in the postseason since 2019. On Monday night, it was Senior Night for the Red Wolves. Cedar Ridge defeated Person 7-0. Senior Ianna Pfeifer scored a hat trick for the third time in her career against the Rockets. It came after Pfeifer set up the game-winning goal in the Red Wolves win over the North Carolina School of Science and Math last week, which was scored by Sophia Feken. It was the second straight game where Cedar Ridge goalkeeper Addie Reid got a clean sheet. Sarah Carson, Lily Dyslin, Sarah Fenwick, Alexia Gomez, and Stella Fadden also were honored during Senior Night for the Red Wolves. Cedar Ridge improve to 7-6, 2-5 in the Central Carolina Conference. The Red Wolves will travel to Northwood on Wednesday before another important road trip to Western Alamance on Friday. Next Monday, Cedar Ridge will play Orange in the second leg of the Hillsborough Derby. Orange defeated the Red Wolves 1-0 in overtime earlier this month.

Women’s soccer: Cedar Ridge 1, North Carolina School of Science and Math 0: With Cedar Ridge fighting for a playoff spot, the Red Wolves broke open a scoreless tie against the North Carolina School of Science and Math off a gorgeous finish from a sophomore.

Sophia Feken scored her first goal of the season with a gorgeous shot over Unicorns goalkeeper Savannah Sullivan with 19:39 remaining in the second half as the Red Wolves defeated NCSSM 1-0 in Durham. The sequence started when senior Ianna Pfeifer took a throw-in and lifted a diagonal pass across the box. Sophomore Fleury Nicholson chased it down and passed it back to Feken, who floated a shot from 20 yards away that went over the head of Sullivan into the roof of the net.

Cedar Ridge struggled to get a shot off in the first half, but junior goalkeeper Addie Reid made five saves in the first half to keep the game scoreless at halftime. Science and Math’s best chance came with 21:50 remaining when Unicorn’s co-Captain Ariel Mercurio took a great pass from classmate Clara Smith. Mercurio was one-on-one with Reid, who made the save on a shot from 12 yards away.

Earlier in the half, Reid knocked.away a cross shot attempt by Callie Stoke that buzzed through the six-years box.

Cedar Ridge (6-6) is currently ranked #33 in the 3A East Region. On April 5, the Red Wolves faced Eno River Academy for the first-ever matchup between the two Hillsborough schools in soccer. Cedar Ridge came away with a 3-1 win at Red Wolves Stadium.

Nicholson scored the game-winning goal in the first half, which was assisted by Pfeiefer. Sophomore Celina Galla added another goal, while Pfeiefer scored a goal and added two assists. Reid earned another win in net making four saves.

Cedar Ridge will return to action tonight to face Person on their Senior Night. Pfeiefer, Sarah Carson, Lily Dyslin, Sarah Fenwick, Alexia Gomez, and Stella Fadden will be honored.

Orange 7, Person 0: Junior Ella Wimsatt scored two goals, including the game-winner, in the 15th minute as Orange defeated Person at Orange Soccer Field on April 4. Wimsatt’s opening tally was assisted by Teresa Rodriguez.

Elliana Sullivan-Gaddy finished with a goal and three assists on the night. Sullivan-Gaddy finished with the second goal off an assist from Channing Mahaney in the 22nd minute. Two minutes later, Wimsatt added her second goal off an assist from Gaddy.

In the opening minute of the second half, Orange goalkeeper Abby Monteith scored her first goal of her career on an assist from Caroline Cathey to increase the Lady Panthers’ lead to 4-0.

In the 61st minute, sophomore Cora Bailey scored the first of her two goals. Bailey would add another in the 70th minute, assisted from Sullivan-Gaddy

Hannah Hummel scored the final goal of the game in the 70th minutes, once again assisted by Sullivan-Gaddy.

Monteith played the first 30 minutes in net and earned the win. She went into the outfield late in the first half and was replaced in net by freshman Alexis Stephens.

Orange reached the third round of the 3A State Playoffs last season, but is playing this year without attacking midfielder Sydney Rogers, who was injured last fall during training.

Orange (5-4-2, 3-3 in the Central Carolina Conference) defeated Walter Williams 3-2 in Burlington on March 20. Isabel Jones, Caroline Cathey and Molly Kruse all scored for the Lady Panthers, which had to bring feeling of revenge for Orange. Last May, Williams defeated Orange in the 3A State Playoffs in a game where Monteith suffered a torn ACL in the second half and had to be replaced with the game tied.

Orange will travel to Western Alamance tonight. On Wednesday, they will face Walter Williams again, this time in Hillsborough. On Thursday, the Lady Panthers will travel to Seaforth.

The Cedar Ridge women’s soccer team played through the rain to defeat Northern Durham 3-1 on March 17. Lily Dyslin scored the game-winning goal early in the second half as the Red Wolves defeated the Knights for the second time this season. It was the fourth goal this season for Dyslin and the second time she scored against Northern Durham. Sophomore Fleury Nicholson got the insurance goal for Cedar Ridge. Nicholson also had an assist against Northern. Last season as a freshman, Nicholson led Cedar Ridge with 12 goals. This season, she has scored eight goals, including one at Northwood on March 20. Sophomore Celine Galla scored the game-tying goal against the Knights. It was her second goal of the season. Cedar Ridge is 4-5, 1-3 in the Central Carolina Conference. They will resume its season on Monday night against Walter Williams at Red Wolves Stadium. Kickoff is at 6:45.

Ivy Garner: On Wednesday, Garner was one of four players from Liberty’s women’s soccer team named to the Atlantic Sun All-Freshman team. Liberty continues to lead the Atlantic Sun Conference with an undefeated league mark. On October 2, Garner scored a goal as the Flames defeated North Alabama 4-1 at Osborne Stadium in Lynchburg, VA. Garner, starting at striker, notched the Flames’ final goal in the 84 minute. Garner also got off four shots, two of them on net. On Saturday, the Flames defeated Eastern Kentucky 3-0 at EKU Soccer Field in Richmond,KY. Garner started at midfield and played 56 minutes. She fired one shot. On October 16, the Flames played a scoreless tie against North Florida in Jacksonville, FL. Garner fired one of only three shots for the Flames. She started and played 56 minutes as a forward. On October 13, the Flames defeated Jacksonville 2-1 at Southern Oak Stadium in Florida. Garner started at forward and played 49 minutes. Liberty defeated Queens University, who is in a transition to Division I from Division II, 2-0 at Osborne Stadium in Lynchburg, VA. Garner started again and played 50 minutes. Liberty is 12-3-3 overall, 8-0-2 in the Atlantic Sun Conference. Garner, who played soccer her freshman year at Cedar Ridge before she transferred to Eno River Academy, has scored three goals and four assists through 15 games in her freshman year with the Flames.

Kayla Hodges: Hodges returned to action this week for the Virginia Commonwealth women’s soccer team. On Sunday, the Rams played to a 3-3 tie against George Mason in SportsBackers Stadium in Richmond, VA. Hodges started on the defensive backline, playing all 90 minutes and got a shot on goal. On October 20, #11 St. Louis defeated the Rams 1-0. Hodges came off the bench to play as a reserve. VCU is 8-2-8 this season, 6-1-3 in the Atlantic 10. The Rams will start play in the Atlantic 10 Tournament against 6th-seeded St. Joseph’s at Sports Backers Stadium on Friday night.

Trenton Gill: In his first Monday Night Football appearance, Trenton Gill had two punts for the Chicago Bears. The Bears defeated the New England Patriots 33-14 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA. In his two punts, Gill averaged 40.5 yards. His longest punt was 46 yards, but his services weren’t required very much because the Bears scored a season-high 33 points. Chicago’s defense forced four turnovers. The Bears are 3-4 after claiming its first road win of the season.

Darius Satterfield: Virginia State defeated Elizabeth City State 34-12 at Roebuck Stadium in Elizabeth City on Saturday. Satterfield, a freshman placekicker for ECSU, had three kickoffs for a total of 112 yards. That’s an average of 37.3 yards per kick. The Vikings are 2-6 overall, 2-4 in the CIAA. ECSU hosts Bowie State at Roebuck Stadium on Saturday.

Lottie Scully: As a freshman, Scully was named the American East Setter of the Week on October 18. Last week, the University of Albany defeated Binghamton 3-2 on scores of 29-27, 21-25, 17-25, 25-22 and 15-9 at University Gym in Albany. Scully had a season-best 52 assists for Binghamton. She also registered three kills, four digs and two blocks. Binghamton is 13-7 overall, 4-2 in the American East.

Avery Miller: The Pitt Community College volleyball team wrapped up its season with a 3-2 win over Louisburg on Thursday. Miller, who played two sets, finished with two kills. Pitt Community College ended the year 13-9 overall, 3-9 in Region X of the National Junior Community College Athletic Association. Miller finished her freshman season with 67 kills and 68 digs.

Emerson Talley: The Division II Lenoir-Rhyne women’s soccer team has completed its regular season as the South Atlantic Conference regular season champions. The Bears defeated #12 Catawba 4-1 to take the regular season crown. Against the Hawks, Talley came off the bench and played six minutes. On October 22, the Bears defeated Newberry 4-0 at Smith Road Complex in Newberry. Talley played 26 minutes. The Bears will start play in the SAC Tournament against Newberry at the Moretz Sports Athletic Campus in Hickory on Saturday.

This week’s Cedar Ridge Red Wolf of the Week is freshman women’s soccer striker Fleury Nicholson. This season, Nicholson led the Red Wolves with 12 goals. On April 7, Nicholson had two goals as Cedar Ridge defeated Person 9-0 at Red Wolves Stadium in Hillsborough. Nicholson opened the season scoring two goals as the Red Wolves defeated South Granville 5-0 at Vikings Stadium in Creedmoor. Two nights later, Nicholson had her first career hat trick in her first home game against Clover Garden School. Cedar Ridge defeated the Grizzlies 9-0. Nicholson scored the Red Wolves’ only goal against crosstown rival Orange on April 4 at Red Wolves Stadium. She also scored twice in a 5-0 win over the Durham School of the Arts on April 14. In 12 games this season, Nicholson led the team with 26 points, 33 shots and 26 shots on goal. Cedar Ride went 6-10 this season after losing its all-time goal scorer, Emerson Talley, who graduated in 2021. Nicholson will be a factor for Cedar Ridge women’s soccer for years to come as the Red Wolves look to continue to improve in the Central Carolina Conference. 

Photo by Averett University

Braden Homsey: Braden Homsey captured the 197-pound championship for Division III Ferrum College during the Averett Cougar Open at the Grant Center in Danville, VA on Saturday. Homsey defeated Jackson Shumate 16-1 in the 2nd round. In the quarterfinals, Homsey grabbed a major decision over Austin Suess of Southwest Virginia 11-2. In the semifinals, Homsey pinned William Headley of Liberty in 2:12. Homsey scored another technical fall in the championship match over William Baldwin of Averett 21-4. In a field of 20 teams, the Panthers finished third with 127 points.

Joey McMullin: The Sandhills Community College men’s basketball team defeated Hosanna Bible College 99-76 at The Hangar in Pinehurst last Monday. McMullin, who scored over 1,000 points in his Orange High career, scored a career-high 27 points for the Flyers. He shot 12-of-15 from the field, including two 3-pointers. On Wednesday, the Flyers defeated Guilford Technical Community College 106-99 in Greensboro. McMullin, who started, had 17 points and six rebounds. On Saturday, Wake Technical Community College defeated Sandhills 126-109 in Pinehurst. McMullin, who started and played 16 minutes, scored six points. He also added two rebounds and an assist. The Flyers are 4-2, 0-2 in Region X of the National Junior College Athletic Association. They will play the Methodist University junior varsity squad in Fayetteville on Tuesday.

Connor Crabtree: The Richmond Spiders started its men’s basketball season with a a 70-60 victory over North Carolina Central in the Robins Center on Tuesday. Crabtree came off the bench and scored two points, grabbed one rebound and dished out two assists. On Friday, Utah State defeated Richmond 85-74 in the opening game of the Veterans Classic at Alumni Hall in Annapolis, MD. Crabtree had a stickleback basket to put Richmond in the lead 65-63 with 5:38 remaining, but the Aggies went on a 18-3 run to take control of the game. Crabtree scored six points and four rebounds in 14 minutes. Richmond hosts Georgia State on Tuesday night.

Trenton Gill: Former Cedar Ridge All-Conference punter Trenton Gill was named a co-Captain for #21 N.C. State’s game against #13 Wake Forest at Truist Field in Winston-Salem. In the highest-scoring game in 115 all-time matchups, the Demon Deacons defeated the Wolfpack 45-42. Gill had six punts for an average of 45 yards. Two punts were downed inside the 20-yard line. His longest was 52 yards, one of two punts over 50-yards. Gill also had seven kickoffs, six of which were touchbacks. The Wolfpack, who are now ranked #25 by the Associated Press, will host Syracuse at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh on Saturday.

Keshawn Thompson: For the fifth time this year, Thompson led the Campbell football team in tackles. Thompson had ten tackles in the Camels’ 28-21 loss to Hampton at Barker-Lane Stadium in Buies Creek on Saturday. It was Thompson’s senior day. Campbell has lost five in a row and is now 3-7 overall, 2-4 in the Big South Conference. They will wrap up the season at Robert Morris on Saturday.

Adam Chnupa: The Elon football team defeated Towson 37-14 at Johnny Unitas Stadium in Towson, MD on Saturday. It was the Phoenix’s fourth road win of the season. Chnupa played special teams and defense for the Phoenix, who improved to 5-5, 4-3 in the Colonial Athletic Association. The Phoenix will wrap up the regular season against #25 Rhode Island at Rhodes Stadium in Elon on Saturday.

Emerson Talley: The Lenoir-Rhyne women’s soccer team received an at-large birth for the Division II NCAA Tournament. The Bears, which includes former Cedar Ridge forward Emerson Talley, will face Catawba in the opening round in Salisbury on Saturday at 6PM. Last week, the Bears lost to Queens 1-0 in double overtime in the semifinals of the South Atlantic Conference Tournament in Matthews. The Bears will enter the NCAA Tournament 11-5-2 overall.

Kate Burgess: The UNC rowing team finished its first official race of the season at the Rivanna Romp in Charlottesville, VA on Sunday afternoon. Burgess was aboard the 2V8+ boat, which finished 21st at 15:02.00. In the Varsity Four race, Burgess was aboard the 4V4+, which finished 24th at 17:21.8.

Bailey Lucas: Bailey Lucas’ career with the Meredith volleyball team has come to an end. The Avenging Angels were snubbed from the NCAA Division III volleyball tournament despite a 23-8 record and reaching the championship match of the USA South Athletic Conference tournament. This season, Lucas was 2nd on the team with 506 assists. She had 24 aces.

Kayla Hodges: Hodges was named to the first team All-Colonial Athletic Association for the Elon women’s soccer team last week. Hodges, a junior, played in all 17 games and compiled 1,561 minutes for the Phoenix, who finished the season 9-6-2 overall, 4-3-2 in the CAA. Hodges, playing along the backline, helped Elon to six shutouts, second in the CAA. She was tied for the team lead with three goals. One of them came against rival UNC Wilmington to tie the game in the 84th minute.

Emerson Talley: Talley returned to action for Division II Lenoir-Rhyne women’s soccer team against Carson-Newman on Wednesday. The Bears took the win over the Eagles 3-2. Talley checked in late in the game at Mortez Complex in Hickory.

Taylin Jean: Jean earned the victory as goalkeeper for the final win of the season for the Limestone women’s soccer team last Wednesday. Jean posted a clean sheet against Lincoln Memorial in a 2-0 Saints win. She made three saves as Limestone held the Railsplitters to four shots. On Saturday, Limestone played the aforementioned Lenoir-Rhyne Bears in the quarterfinals of the South Atlantic Conference tournament at Mortez Sports Complex in Hickory. Jean started as goalkeeper. On paper, at least, it pitted two former Cedar Ridge teammates against each other, though Talley didn’t play for the Bears. Lenoir-Rhyne won 2-0. Jean played all 90 minutes and made four saves. Limestone ends the year 10-5-1 with a sixth-place finish in the SAC.

Trenton Gill: Gill was named a co-Captain for the Wolfpack in its 28-14 win over Florida State on Saturday night at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, FL. Gill had eight punts and averaged 45.2 yards per boot. His longest was 60 yards. He had another punt that went 53 yards. There were five punts downed inside the 20-yard line. The Wolfpack, ranked #21 in the Associated Press, will face Wake Forest in a huge matchup on Saturday at Truist Field in Winston-Salem.

“Field position is a great friend to a defense,” said N.C. State coach Dave Doeren. “Ninety-yard fields, when you’re a defensive coordinator, are nice to call the game in. Trent’s a weapon. He’s really, really kicking the football well on kickoffs, too. This isn’t a one-time thing. This has been multiple games this year. He’s flipping the field, too. He had a bomb on one of those punts. We’re very fortunate to have the specialist crew that we do right now.”

Keshawn Thompson: James Madison throttled Campbell 51-14 at Bridgeforth Stadium in Harrisonburg, VA on Saturday. Thompson had nine tackles for the Camels, who have lost four straight. Campbell will host Hampton for Senior Day on Saturday.

Adam Chnupa: #10 Villanova routed Elon 35-0 at Rhodes Stadium on Saturday. Chnupa entered the game as a defensive reserve for the Phoenix. Elon falls to 4-5, 3-3 in the CAA. They will travel to Towson on Saturday.

Bailey Lucas: The Meredith College volleyball team reached the championship game of the USA South Conference Tournament. On Saturday, Southern Virginia defeated the Avenging Angels 3-1 for the championship at Knight Arena in Buena Vista, VA. Lucas, in what may have been her final game, led Meredith with 21 assists. She also had ten digs and two aces. In the semifinals on Friday, Meredith defeated Maryville 3-2. Lucas started and again led the Avenging Angels with 24 assists. She also had seven digs and one block. In the quarterfinals, Meredith swept William Peace. Lucas had 18 assists (a team-high) with four digs and two aces. Lucas, a setter for the Meredith College volleyball team, was named to the USA South Athletic Conference All-Sportsmanship team. Meredith will now wait and see if they receive an at-large bid for the NCAA Division III Volleyball Tournament. The field will be announced later today.

Joey McMullin: The Sandhills Community College men’s basketball team opened its regular season with a 95-84 victory over Lenoir Community College in Kinston last Wednesday. McMullin started his first official game with the Flyers and scored ten points off 5-of-12 shooting from the field. He also had five rebounds. On Friday, Anne Arundel Community College defeated Sandhills 82-75 in the Flyers’ home opener. McMullin led the Flyers with 20 points off 10-of-19 shooting.

On Saturday, Sandhills defeated Shooting For Greatness Academy 96-72 in Pinehurst. McMullin had 18 points, seven rebounds and two steals.

Braden Homsey: The Division III Ferrum wrestling team started its dual season with a loss to Washington & Lee 35-7 last week. Homsey won the first match of his senior season with a 10-3 decision over Matt Majoy at 197 pounds. On Sunday, Homsey competed in the Southeast Open at Roanoke College in Salem, VA. Homsey dropped both of his matches.