With a playoff spot on the line, the Pam Pack soccer team was not ready to call it quits on its season as Washington picked up a 4-3 road victory over Coastal Conference rival West Carteret on Thursday to punch its ticket to the postseason on the final day of the regular season.
Alana Jefferson led the Pack attack with three goals and her hat trick enabled Washington to net a hat trick of a different kind.
“I think this is the first time we’ve ever made the playoffs three years in a row,” said Washington soccer coach Ed Rodriguez. “That’s a mark we never set before and that’s a big accomplishment for the girls’ program.”
It was a win-and-in scenario at the start of the game and with the victory Washington is expected to draw the fifth seed in the NCHSAA 3-A state playoffs and appear destined to play Wilson-Hunt on the road in the first round.
The Pam Pack began the week needed to win out its final two games and did so outscoring teams 13-4 to streak into the playoffs.
“I think we’re starting to peak at the right time,” Rodriguez said. “All of our injured players are starting to get better and we’re starting to play real well. … Once you’re in the playoffs everybody is 0-0 and whoever wins six games is the state champion.”
Once again, Jefferson came up huge for the Pam Pack as she struck for three goals, which combined with a Harley Hudson score, was enough to edge past the Patriots.
“(Alana) played very aggressive,” Rodriguez said. “She had a some great goals and a good overall performance.”