Shelby nips Northwood 2-1 in NCHSAA 2-A men's soccer final

November 23, 2009

North Carolina

CARY -- Jerry Zeller's goal in the 77th minute proved to be the game winner as the Golden Lions of Shelby slipped past Pittsboro Northwood 2-1 in the North Carolina High School Athletic Association state 2-A men's soccer championship Saturday night at WakeMed Soccer Park.

Zeller's goal broke a 1-1 tie after Northwood had knotted the game just three minutes earlier and the game appeared to be headed toward overtime. Zeller, a diminutive sophomore midfielder, was voted the Most Valuable Player in the final.

Shelby opened the scoring in the fourth minute when Northwood had trouble clearing the ball and Kevin Petty was credited with the Golden Lion goal.  It stayed 1-0 until the 74th minute, as Northwood's Sam Lucier tallied off a throw-in to tie the game and set the stage for Zeller's heroics.
           
Shelby was in the NCHSAA finals for the second consecutive year and ended the season 23-3-1, going 18-0-1 in its final 19 games. The Golden Lions took five one-goal decisions in the playoffs, including a dramatic penalty kick triumph over Surry Central in the Western Regional final.

Northwood got past Swansboro 1-0 on Friday night in a rain-delayed Eastern Regional final to advance to the state championship match for the first time. The Chargers had a 14-match winning streak snapped to end at 19-3-2 after going 21-3-2 a year ago and losing in the regional final.
           
Wendy¹s is the presenting sponsor of the NCHSAA sports program.

The Raleigh Sports Consortium serves as a host city sponsor for these championships, along with the city of Raleigh and the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors¹ Bureau.
           
NORTH CAROLINA HIGH SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION
2009 STATE MEN¹S SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIPS
WakeMed Soccer Park

Class 2-A Championship

Pittsboro Northwood      1   0 --1
Shelby                        1   1 --2

SCORING
4th minute, S--Kevin Petty.
74th minute, N--Sam Lucier.
77th minute, S---Jerry Zeller.