East Lincoln boys soccer’s dream of a state championship fell just short Saturday afternoon in Greensboro, the Mustangs falling to Western Alamance 1-0 in the NCHSAA 5A state final.

A match which will be remembered most for both teams' defensive prowess and physicality, it was the Warriors’ Frankie Maya who proved to be the difference. His shot in the 61st minute gave Western Alamance a lead it would not relinquish, preserving a 29-0 season, the program’s 53rd consecutive victory as well as its second NCHSAA title in a row, joining its 3A state crown from last fall.

Saturday was East Lincoln’s second crack at a championship, its previous trip to a state final in 2019. Such wasn’t for lack of effort, though, putting a few shots on target and earning their share of corner kicks. Western A

See Full Page