Soccer championships notes

 RALEIGH - Head coaches Buddy Carroll of White Oak and Kevin Hicks of Dixon have something else in common besides winning girls soccer state titles on Saturday.

They are the only Onslow County coaches to have won crowns in both boys and girls soccer.

And while Carroll could have laid claim to seizing state championships for both his programs even before his Vikings defeated T.C. Roberson 4-0 for the 3-A title, the Bulldogs' 1-0 win over Polk County in the 1-A final gave Hicks his first girls soccer crown after he led the Dixon boys to the same success in 2006.

Carroll already had several state championships under his belt, having won three other girls titles in 2003, '06 and '07 and winning the boys championship in '04. The White Oak coach is now 5-3 in state final appearances, 4-1 with the girls and 1-2 with the boys. Meanwhile, Hicks is 2-1 in final game showings, 1-1 with the boys and 1-0 with the girls.

Both coaches reflected on their latest championships.

"I told the girls that we had the components to win state this year," said Hicks. "After 31 years of coaching I should be able to see what we have."

And for Carroll?

"It motivated us this year (to be looked as not as good as previous title teams)," he said. "We won this year without girls we had previously won with."

He saw the sign: It didn't take long for Hicks to realize the Bulldogs had a good chance of not only matching up well with Polk County, but also had a good shot of winning the final contest.

"To be honest, when I saw the first five minutes of play, that's when I knew," he said. "They (Wolverines) had little possession."

Tough road is worth it: It happens all the time in this area. A soccer team that plays a brutal schedule goes on to win a state title.

Such was the case for the Bulldogs, who battled their fair share of 2-A clubs to prepare for the state playoffs. Dixon competed against the likes of Richlands and East Duplin, both of whom qualified for the 2-A postseason.

"And we went 5-0-1 against those 2-A teams," said Hicks. "I told the girls that we had beaten some tough teams so they shouldn't feel intimidated in the championship game."

But playing competitive clubs away obviously didn't stop in the regular season. Dixon played last year's champion Raleigh Charter and Coastal Plains 1-A Conference foe Topsail en route to the title game.

"We earned the right to be the No. 1 team in the state," said Hicks.

Closing a career: The Bulldogs' title game victory was the icing on the cake for Chelsea D'Zurilla, a senior who has been ‘Ms. Everything' for Dixon athletics.

D'Zurilla, who scored the final's lone goal, has been well-known in the high school sports community with her strong play in volleyball, basketball and soccer. But while she has earned several honors through her athletic ability - having been named Daily News co-player of the year in volleyball and being a two-time Daily News first-team all-area basketball performer - a state championship in any sport eluded her.

"This is something I have worked for four years," D'Zurilla said. "This was my last season of my last sport and I am very excited to go out like this."

Hicks too was thrilled for D'Zurilla.

"This is a fitting end to one of the best female athletes who have attended Dixon," he said. "Chelsea is a quality individual."

Looking at next year: It's scary to think that White Oak could only get stronger by next year.

The Vikings lose just two seniors while juniors Patrice Clarke and Rebecca Roberts are expected to return from injuries, meaning White Oak will be a favorite to at least return to the final next May.

Carroll seems to think so.

"As long as we avoid the injury bug we have a good chance to get back for sure," he said.

Vikings senior Kasie Drake concurred. 

"I think they will look good next year," she said.

More of the same: While White Oak opponents may get tired of seeing the green and gold win state crowns, it's a sure bet Viking players don't feel the same away.

"This never gets old," said WOHS sophomore Angela Cole.

Getting defensive: Carroll was asked to explain the key to the Vikings' solid defense against Roberson.

"Rebekah Johnston," he said. "She played her butt off and saved two goals for us."

Games on television: Dixon and White Oak players, coaches and fans will be able to relive Saturday's games just by sitting in front of their television sets.

Now playing, the NCHSAA girls soccer championship games are broadcasted on Carolina In Demand, digital cable channel 1234. Championship games in sports such as football, basketball and wrestling have already been broadcasted soon after those games were completed.

To coaches: Area soccer, baseball and softball coaches are reminded to return all-area forms to the Daily News sports staff as soon as possible in order to guarantee a quicker process of distributing the honors.

If you have any questions call 353-1171, ext. 8472.