Highlands opened the NC High School Athletic Association 1-A state playoffs with a flourish on Monday night.
The Highlanders scored three goals in the first 18 minutes of action and cruised to a 7-0 win over Elkins. With the win, Highlands advances to the second round on Thursday and earns a date at third-seeded Mount Airy.
Monday’s game opened under uncertain skies, but the weather held off and the Highlanders took advantage of an Elks defense that employed a style of play described best as “extremely aggressive.”
With the Elks’ defenders pulled forward, Highlands simply passed the ball over the top and easily got behind the visitors back line. Gabby Diaz opened the scoring when she ran on to a long pass and chipped the ball over a diving keeper.
Highlands added to the lead when Addie Westendorf weaved her way through defenders and fired a shot into the net for a 2-0 advantage in the 14th minute. Diaz put the game away just four minutes later with a brilliant one-on-one move that led to a shot tucked into the top right corner of the goal.
From that point the outcome was never in doubt as Highlands kept the pressure on and the visitors failed to get any sustained offense in motion. Olivia Cole tallied the shutout in net for the Highlanders.
Highlands, the 14 seed in the west region, will make the long drive to Mount Airy on Thursday. Mount Airy dropped Blue Ridge by a 3-0 tally in the opening round. Highlands (13-5 overall) also beat Blue Ridge during both of the teams’ meetings this season.
A victory on Thursday would likely set up a third-round showdown with conference rival Swain County in round three of the bracket. The Maroon Devils play Cornerstone Charter on Thursday night in Bryson City.