Wilmington-area midseason girls soccer update: Is anyone catching Ashley?

The talent level in high school girls soccer has continued to climb in the Wilmington area over the past few seasons, and 2024 is no exception.

Five area teams currently sit inside the NCHSAA's top 12 RPI rankings, with Ashley (11-0-1, 6-0 MEC) standing atop everyone in the 4A East classification.

That shouldn't come as a surprise, though, as the Screaming Eagles made a state championship appearance last year while Hoggard (8-3-1, 5-1) advanced to the fourth round of the state playoffs.

Those two teams will meet next week in what should decide the Mideastern Conference champion. Ashley handed Hoggard a 3-1 thumping in March, and the team looks primed for another deep playoff run this spring.

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In Burgaw, Trask (8-5-1, 4-0) has yet to lose a Waccmaw Conference matchup this season as freshman Nayeli Sanchez has had a highlight-ridden start to her high school career.

The postseason looks incredibly promising for Wilmington-area teams, but before we get there, here's everything we know midway through the 2024 season.

Ashley looks playoff ready

There aren't a lot of surprises here.

Since drawing to 3A powerhouse Jacksonville to start the season, it's been all business for the Screaming Eagles, who have outscored opponents 58-6.

The star power of Karina Peat, Savannah Manset and Kieran Bradley gives the team one of the most equipped attacks in the state, and that's just the start.

However, Ashley still has one final challenge before it can cruise to a conference title as it faces Hoggard next Friday at home. The Screaming Eagles looked objectively better in the team's first meeting on March 12, but the rivalry game can swing either way.

Ashley also has to deal with high expectations, as anything short of a state regional final appearance would be a disappointment. To much is

Hoggard keeping pace

The Vikings are not the same team from a year ago.

Without Ella Johnson, Hoggard has had to share the love this spring as junior Ellis Kelly and sophomore Avery Fisher have stepped into leading roles.

Even so, the Vikings' only conference loss of the season came to Ashley, and the door has yet to shut on a conference title.

Hoggard might not have the flashiest squad this year but aside from Ashley, they're the Mideastern Conference's top team.

How good is Laney?

A solid start to the year has Laney feeling confident, and junior forward Kenzie Badawi's 12 goals through 10 games certainly help boost that feeling.

The Buccaneers (8-1-1, 4-1) drew Jacksonville 2-2 on March 14 and have outscored opponents 49-11. The team is currently seated fourth in the state in 4A East RPI rankings and isn't out of contention for a conference title.

However, Laney's most challenging matchups come in the latter half of the season, as they face Hoggard twice and Ashley again.

If the Bucs can manage impressive outings against the Vikings, they have a chance to finish second in the conference this spring.

Freshman star-power spurring Trask

Trask has yet to lose a conference matchup in 2024, and a large part of that is due to freshman Nayeli Sanchez. The forward leads the team with 15 goals this spring. Senior Kenya Lewis has also been busy, finding the back of the net 12 times.

The Titans face four teams in the final seven games of the season as they'll run the Waccamaw Conference gauntlet and have a chance to enter the 2A state playoffs with plenty of confidence.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: 2024 Wilmington-area high school girls soccer midseason update