CARY-East Chapel Hill High School women’s lacrosse claimed the state title on Saturday with a 15-13 win over Charlotte Catholic at WakeMed Stadium in Cary.

This is the first state championship for head coach Michelle Michaels since coming to East Chapel Hill four years ago—and she says it’s a victory that she’s been waiting for over the past several seasons.

“We’ve made it to the semis three times, and this is the first time we’ve made it past that, so it’s been a long time in coming,” she says. “I felt like we were right there every year. We’d always lose in the playoffs in a tight game. We just got good competition in our section and region, and we knew we just needed to get past the region.”

Sydney Holman was named the tournament’s MVP, with five goals and four assists in the championship game alone. Holman ends the season with 128 goals—that’s the most ever in North Carolina High School Athletic Association history.

Holman is a UNC recruit and will begin playing for the Heels next fall. She’s also the sister of Tar Heel men’s lacrosse standout Marcus Holman. Michaels says it’s bittersweet to see Holman move on.

“She’s put in a good four years, as well as our other seniors, and they’ve helped me form this program,” she says. “I hate to lose a kid of that caliber, but I’m excited to watch what she can do for Carolina.”

Farrell Guest, Marrissa Creatore, and Cassie Watters each netted two goals for the Wildcats in the championship game. East Chapel Hill also saw single goals from Allison Morsberger, Cassie Watters, Quin Cullen, Elizabeth Jensen, and Chrissy Kolk, who scored the goal that sealed the victory.

East Chapel Hill finishes the season at 16-2.

(Photo Dan Jensen)