Highlands got off to a hot start and never slowed down in a 4-1 win over Smoky Mountain 1-A Conference rival Swain County on Thursday night.
The Highlanders victory means the two teams finished tied for first place in the league with identical 11-1 records in league play.
Because of the tie, the Highlanders and Maroon Devils will play a third game to decide the championship and the subsequent number one seed in the NC High School Athletic Association 1-A state playoffs. The higher a team’s seed, the more likely they are to get home games in the early rounds of the state playoffs.
The rubber match will be at a neutral site, either Thursday or Friday.
In the second meeting, it was all Highlands on their home pitch. Aislynn Wyatt-Luck tallied two goals in the win. Cayden Pierson and Gabby Diaz each scored once for the home team. Addie Westendorf made an impact from her midfield spot with two assists.
Highlands finished the regular season 12-4 overall, 11-1 in the conference. Swain finished 13-4, 11-1 in the league.
Seeding for the state playoffs will be released on Saturday with first round matches scheduled to begin on Monday, May 15.