CHARLOTTE - Something else to count down to this weekend along with graduation, presented by the heroes of yesterday鈥檚 Queen City Miracle at Charlotte Country Day.
The Buccaneers had possession and a one-goal lead with 20 seconds to go in regulation when Xander Ring 鈥�25 stole a clearing pass and then sent the ball over to Caden Paradine 鈥�25. Rather than shoot in heavy traffic, Caden found Thomas Flores 鈥�27 for the tying goal with 17.4 seconds to go.
The game was tied 7-7 heading into overtime and Country Day had a great look on its last possession, with Jameson Dow 鈥�27 making the save. 蜜桃社 was then able to go on the attack, with Caden scoring the game-winner with 2:02 to play in sudden death.
The third-seeded Greenies (13-5) are in the NCISAA Division I state championship game for the first time since 2022 and await the winner of today鈥檚 4:30 p.m. semifinal between No. 4 Rabun Gap (9-6) and top-seeded Durham Academy (15-2). The higher seed will host Saturday鈥檚 game at a time that has yet to be determined.
Country Day (18-7) led 6-4 at halftime Wednesday, but only scored once from that point forward. Parker Abernethy 鈥�28 tied the game at the 2:15 mark of the third quarter with his second goal of the second half. Caden, Thomas, Palo Miles 鈥�27, and Liam Burnett 鈥�28 scored first-half goals.
Caden, who has signed with the University of Denver, entered the postseason with more than 150 career points. He is now among the top-10 players in school history in that offensive category.
