The Clinton Dark Horses are headed to the third round of the NCHSAA 4A Women’s Soccer state playoffs after surviving an instant classic on the road Thursday night.
Behind a golden goal from junior striker Jenna Jackson late in triple overtime, Clinton escaped Asheboro with a gritty 1-0 victory over the Uwharrie Charter Lady Eagles in the second round of the state playoffs.
The match remained scoreless through regulation and multiple overtime periods before freshman midfielder Katie Hales delivered a perfect through ball in the closing moments of extra time. Jackson capitalized on the breakaway opportunity, burying the game-winner to send the Lady Dark Horses into the third round.
“It was a very tough match. It was an even match,” Clinton head coach Adam Smith recalled. “Both teams had chances at different opportunities. We played very well. They made it difficult for us, we made it difficult for them, and the girls just kept fighting. They didn’t give up even though they had played over 100 minutes-plus. They just kept working for each other, and I’m very proud of them for that.”
Smith described the breakthrough moment as one that came only after Clinton continued applying pressure deep into extra time.
“It was literally seconds, and we got a break,” the coach noted. “Jenna drove down and took her opportunity and made it. Everybody was excited.”
The decisive sequence began with Hales, who battled through pain after tweaking her knee earlier in the contest. Despite the discomfort, the freshman delivered perhaps the biggest assist of Clinton’s postseason run.
“Katie’s been big for us the majority of the year,” Smith explained. “She hurt her knee a little bit and just kept going. She fought through pain, and it ended up falling for her. She took the chance and played that ball early like we talked about in between overtimes, and she played a perfect ball in for Jenna. Jenna capitalized on the opportunity.”
Thursday’s matchup lived up to its billing as a showdown between evenly matched programs, with ninth-seeded Clinton traveling to face eighth-seeded Uwharrie Charter. Neither side generated many clean looks offensively as both defensive units controlled much of the night.
“There wasn’t a whole bunch of shots on both sides,” Smith added. “We had a few chances, they had a few chances. We had one really good chance in the first half and didn’t capitalize on it. They were very good defensively, a lot better defensively than what we thought. It was a very even game.”
Smith also praised the sportsmanship displayed throughout the physically demanding playoff battle.
“Nobody was dirty,” he continued. “Even though it didn’t end the way Uwharrie wanted it to, their coach still came over and congratulated our girls. They were very kind.”
Despite the lengthy road trip to Asheboro, Smith shared that the Lady Dark Horses maintained the same relaxed routine that has fueled their chemistry throughout the season.
“We don’t put one game bigger than the other,” Smith emphasized. “The girls got on the bus, listened to music, talked and hung out. They were signing yearbooks on the way up there. Even if they had nerves, it didn’t really show.”
That chemistry, according to Smith, continues to be one of Clinton’s greatest strengths.
“We ride the bus back together to build chemistry,” he mentioned. “Eating together, listening to songs, singing together — that’s what makes it so special to be a part of our team.”
Clinton’s support system also made its presence felt Thursday night, as a strong crowd of Lady Dark Horse supporters made the trip west to cheer the team on during the marathon contest.
“We’ve got the best fans in the county, probably in the state to be honest with you,” Smith praised. “We travel very well. Having those fans there helped lift the girls up and push them to take the next step when they might not think they could.”
Now, after outlasting one of the toughest defensive battles of their season and surviving more than 100 minutes on the road, the Lady Dark Horses will turn their attention toward another daunting postseason challenge. Clinton is scheduled to travel Monday for a third-round showdown against the number one seed Carrboro Jaguars at 6 p.m. in Carrboro.
“There’s a lot of history behind both of our programs facing off with each other,” Smith reflected. “But these girls continue to fight for each other every single game, and that’s what makes this group special.”