WAKE FOREST, N.C. — Seaforth’s quest for another girls’ soccer state title fell short in familiar territory — a rematch of last year’s North Carolina High School Athletic Association 2A East playoffs fourth round.
After beating Franklin Academy in the same stage in 2024, the fourth-seeded Hawks fell to the top-ranked Patriots 3-0 in the fourth round at Wake Prep Academy on May 22. Junior Kayla Rice found herself responsible for all three goals, keeping the Patriots undefeated on the way to the regional final.
Rice assisted sophomore Audrey Keith with a score just six minutes into the game, putting Seaforth in a deficit for the second time in the playoffs. Nearly seven minutes into the second half, Rice corralled a rebound from a series of missed shots and knocked it in for her own score. And with 22 minutes left to play, she sent a cross to junior Rylee Caine who scored the game-icing goal.
“We couldn’t keep up with their speed on the wings,” Seaforth coach Giovanni Viana said.
Outside of containing Rice’s offensive impact, the Hawks’ biggest problem was missed opportunities.
Seaforth ran behind the Patriots’ defense numerous times for good looks at the goal and saw two free kick opportunities, but it just couldn’t execute. Arguably the defining moment of the type of night it was for Seaforth’s offense came in the first half when senior Caitlin Erman faced Franklin Academy goalkeeper Griffin Coward one-on-one from close range, and Coward caught the shot attempt.
“We missed too many scoring chances,” Viana said. “Against a good team like this, when you miss them, they come back to haunt you. And that’s what it was tonight. We had two or three in the first half that if we bury, it’s a different game.”
Despite another dominant season in which the Hawks won 20 games and didn’t allow a single goal in conference play (13-0 as Mid-Carolina 1A/2A conference champions), it’s also been a different year for Seaforth.
The Hawks lost four players that were on last year’s state title team due to injuries or “other circumstances,” per Viana. Junior midfielder and striker Sofia Viana also missed some time during the season with injuries and illnesses.
Forced to play some freshmen to fill those gaps, Seaforth was tested much earlier in this year’s playoff run compared to 2024. The Hawks found themselves in a dogfight against NCSSM-Durham in the second round and had to come from behind to beat Manteo in overtime in the third round. Last year, Seaforth outscored its first three playoff opponents 29-0.
Seaforth will graduate two seniors, Erman and defender Chloe Price, this offseason. Erman finished her career as the program’s all-time goals leader with 163.
“We’re going to miss them next year,” Viana said. “It was a joy to watch Caitlin play for four years and get to see Chloe when she came back for two years. So, it’s all as a coach you can hope for to have players like this.”
In the 1A East bracket, No. 2 Woods Charter lost to No. 3 Lejeune 3-1 in the fourth round on May 22.
The Devil Pups, going to the regional final for the first time in program history, set the tone early. Sophomore Jaycie Canaienne scored and gave Lejeune a 1-0 lead just under three minutes into the game, and 11 minutes later, senior Jazzalynn Miller scored on an assist from senior Olivia Shuler for a 2-0 advantage.
Woods Charter sophomore Lucy Poitras scored seven minutes before halftime, but early in the second half, Lejeune went back up by two scores with a goal from sophomore Scarlett McLean.
The Wolves ended their season with a 16-5-1 overall record, going undefeated (12-0) in the Central Tar Heel 1A conference for the fourth season in a row.
After making the state title game for the third straight time in 2024, Woods Charter lost 10 seniors, leaving the 2025 squad without any seniors and only three juniors.
But for coach Graeme Stewart and his elite program, the youth and inexperience didn’t matter much. The Wolves earned a top two playoff seed for the fourth straight season and found themselves one game away from returning to the regional final. Woods Charter can return this entire roster for 2026.
