HobbsDailyReport.com
Hickory has won three straight Northwestern 3A-4A crowns under head coach Brian Jillings
HICKORY – Hickory High’s girls closed out the Northwestern 3A-4A soccer race on Wednesday night, edging visiting Freedom 5-0 to win the conference regular season title.
The Red Tornadoes are 12-2-0 and assured of finishing ahead of second-place Fred T. Foard (11-3), which plays at Watauga (9-2-2) on Thursday at 6:30 p.m.
Jovana Sanchez scored three goals and Grace Atchison and Amy Herfurth each added one as Hickory collected is third straight league crown.
Amanda Rojo and Jess LaFrancis had two assists each for Hickory and Pammy Fish added one. In goal, Morgan Malikowski made four saves for the Red Tornadoes, who are 17-3-0 overall.
Hickory outshot the Patriots 39-6 and had a 6-2 edge in corner kicks.
Freedom (5-13-1, 1-12-1) has Senior Night on Friday at 5 p.m. when it meets archrival East Burke in a non-league match.
Hickory’s next match will be in the state 3A playoffs.
NORTHWESTERN 3A-4A STANDINGS
(conference records only through Wednesday)
Hickory 12-2-0
Fred T. Foard 10-3-0
Watauga (4A) 9-2-2
Hibriten 6-4-3
S. Caldwell (4A) 6-6-1
St. Stephens 5-8-0
Freedom 1-12-1
Patton 0-12-1
— Reported by Brian Jillings, Hickory head coach and David Fletcher, Freedom head coach