In 2010, seven Hough girls soccer players survived penalty kicks to win the 4A state championship for North Mecklenburg High School.

One year later, the same collection of players – now juniors – came up on the wrong end of overtime soccer, when first-year program Hough lost 2-1 to undefeated Ardrey Kell in the 4A regional finals on May 24.

In their first season, the Huskies shared the conference title with Lake Norman High School, finishing with a record of 22-4-1. Hough advanced to the regional finals with a 2-1 overtime victory over Lake Norman but fell 6-5 in penalty kicks to Ardrey Kell (25-0).

Hough forward Allison Stearns scored the only goal for the Huskies with a header in the first half. Husky goalie Emily Rusk was stellar in front of the net. The only goal she allowed in 110 minutes of play was a 40-yard arching shot over her head by the Knights’ Emilie Lloyd to tie the game seven minutes later.