Chapel Hill ends Cardinal Gibbons' girls lacrosse title streak, wins 7A championship

HICKORY, N.C. — There's a new team at the top.

Behind six goals from game MVP Scarlett Gilner, Chapel Hill captured the N.C. High School Athletic Association 7A girls lacrosse state championship with a 12-8 victory over Cardinal Gibbons on Saturday at Moretz Stadium.

Gibbons had won four consecutive state titles and nine of the last 10.

This is Chapel Hill's first in school history.

• View Photos: Chapel Hill vs. Cardinal Gibbons (May 30, 2026). HSOT Insiders can download championship photos for free. Here's how.

The Tigers pulled away in the fourth quarter to secure the title, finishing off a championship run that culminated with a victory over the defending state champions. Chapel Hill led by just one goal at halftime before using a strong second half and clock control in the final minutes to secure the championship.

After Cardinal Gibbons erased an early three-goal deficit and repeatedly fought its way back into the game, Chapel Hill answered every challenge.

Start times revealed for NCHSAA baseball, softball, lacrosse, & girls soccer state championships

Scarlett Gilner and Evelyn Gilner combined for 10 goals, while the Tigers' defense limited the Crusaders to three second-half goals. The victory capped a complete team performance for Chapel Hill, which controlled possession late and prevented Cardinal Gibbons from mounting one final comeback attempt.

Though the two teams are in the Triangle, Chapel Hill (23-4) was the West regional champ while Gibbons (19-6) was the East regional champ.

Box Score

1st Quarter

2nd Quarter

3rd Quarter

4th Quarter

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