Regardless of what the brackets said, Carson Campbell ’21 and Christ School varsity soccer were no underdogs for the first round of the NCISAA 4-A state playoffs.
Carson scored the first three goals Tuesday and the Greenie defense held steady in a lopsided 4-0 shutout of homestanding Charlotte Christian. This represents the first playoff win for the Christ School soccer program since 2017.
Carson’s hat trick began at the 25:07 mark of the first half. He collected a ball about 40 yards out and after sliding a pass over to Reeves Cates ’24 found himself open at the top of the 18-yard box. From there, Carson was able to beat the Charlotte Christian goalkeeper low on the left side.
A throw-in by Fernando Machuca ’22 led to the second goal for the Greenies (3-8-0). His throw landed at the feet of Truett Compton ’24, who played it perfectly to Carson at the left-front edge of the goal box at 23:41.
Christ School wasn’t through. The Knights (3-8-0) struggled to clear a ball deep on their side of the field and Carson pounced, intercepting a pass from the Charlotte Christian keeper and putting it home with 1:41 to go until halftime.
Finally, with 28:34 remaining in the game, Fernando was unmarked and deep in the box when he flicked in a fourth goal.
The Greenies advance to play at second-seeded Rabun Gap (10-2-0) on Thursday. Game time is 4:30 p.m.