Tan's OT goal lifts Charlotte Catholic 1A-6A title over East Chapel Hill

HICKORY, N.C. — Charlotte Catholic girls lacrosse is a state champion again.

The Cougars needed an overtime goal from Sophie Tan to defeat East Chapel Hill 9-8 in the 2026 N.C. High School Athletic Association 1A-6A state championship game. The championship win broke Catholic’s twelve-year drought.

Tan, the game MVP, scored six of Catholic’s nine goals.

The Cougars previously won state championships in 2010 and 2014. Between those championships, Catholic was the state runner-up in 2012 and 2013. After the 2014 championship, the Cougars lost in their next six championship appearances.

• View Photos: East Chapel Hill vs. Charlotte Catholic (May 29, 2026). HSOT Insiders can download championship photos for free. Here's how.

Overall, the program has now won three state championships and finished as the state runner-up eight times. The three championship wins are the second most in NCHSAA history.

East Chapel Hill was making its third state championship appearance. The Wildcats won their previous two, in 2013 and in 2021.

East Chapel Hill led for much of the game. The Wildcats’ last lead was a 8-7 in the fourth quarter before a Tan goal with 4:11 remaining in regulation tied the game 8-8.

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After the Tan goal to tie the game, the Cougars made it a possession game. Catholic passed the ball around for a couple of minutes until East Chapel Hill freshman goalie Martha Grace Aldridge made a save. East Chapel Hill took over with 35 seconds left.

Charlotte Catholic was called for a yellow card foul with two seconds left. That gave Alison Zaranek an opportunity for East Chapel Hill, but her shot was blocked to end regulation.

The contest went to overtime, tied 8-8.

East Chapel Hill finished the season with a 16-6 overall record.

Box Score

1st Quarter

• 11:16 - ECH goal by Avery Ellis - ECH 1, CC 0
• 8:19 - ECH goal by Avery Ellis - ECH 2, CC 0
• 5:47 - CC goal by C.J. Bier - ECH 2, CC 1
• 4:02 - CC goal by Sophie Tan - ECH 2, CC 2
• 1:37 - CC goal by Sophie Tan - CC 3, ECH 2

2nd Quarter

• 7:27 - ECH goal by Madison Fuller - CC 3, ECH 3
• 7:16 - ECH goal by Sophie Fowler - ECH 4, CC 3
• 6:26 - ECH goal by Alison Zaranek - ECH 5, CC 3
• 4:42 - CC goal by C.J. Bier - ECH 5, CC 4
• 0:51 - CC goal by Lindy Dumas - ECH 5, CC 5
• 0:40 - ECH goal by Avery Ellis - ECH 6, CC 5
• 0:05 - CC goal by Sophie Tan - ECH 6, CC 6

3rd Quarter

• 9:04 - ECH goal by Sophie Fowler - ECH 7, CC 6
• 5:55 - CC goal by Sophie Tan - ECH 7, CC 7

4th Quarter

• 9:02 - ECH goal by Parker Capps - ECH 8, CC 7
• 4:11 - CC goal by Sophie Tan - ECH 8, CC 8

Overtime

• 1:40 - CC goal by Sophie Tan - CC 9, ECH 8

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