TEACHEY — West Bladen’s postseason journey came to a heart-wrenching end Monday night as the Knights pushed defending state champion Wallace-Rose Hill to the absolute limit, falling 3-2 in a fiercely contested third-round NCHSAA 2A boys soccer playoff matchup.
Facing off on the road against one of eastern North Carolina’s most formidable soccer powerhouses, the Knights refused to back down. West Bladen traded blows with the Bulldogs throughout the 80-minute battle, answering Wallace-Rose Hill’s offensive pressure with gritty defensive stands and opportunistic counterattacks.
Wallace-Rose Hill strikes early in the match were met with relentless hustle from the Knights’ midfield and frontline, keeping the score within reach and forcing the host Bulldogs to play on their heels late into the second half. Despite a furious final push by West Bladen in the closing minutes, the Bulldogs managed to control possession in the final stretch to secure the one-goal victory and advance to the 2A Eastern Regional quarterfinals.
The third-round appearance capped off a impressive postseason campaign for West Bladen, who posted back-to-back playoff victories to earn their spot in the Sweet 16. The Knights demonstrated remarkable resilience down the stretch, establishing themselves as one of the top contenders in the SAC 2A conference.
Monday’s loss marks the final high school match for West Bladen’s senior class, whose leadership spearheaded the program’s deep playoff run this fall.
NCHSAA 2A Boys Soccer Playoffs — Round 3
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Final Score: Wallace-Rose Hill 3, West Bladen 2
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Match Location: Teachey, NC
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Classification: NCHSAA 2A Eastern Region (Round of 16)
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Next Round: Wallace-Rose Hill advances to the 2A Eastern Regional Quarterfinals.
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