Owen falls to Newton-Conover in second round of playoffs

Warhorses end season with 4-3 loss to Red Devils

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
November 13, 2024

A soccer season shortened by a natural disaster and extended into the postseason came to an end, Nov. 12, as Owen fell, 4-3, to Newton-Conover in the second round of the NCHSAA 2A State Soccer Playoffs. 

Despite 3 goals from senior Davis Kendall, the No. 5 Warhorses were unable to overcome an overtime push by the No. 22 Red Devils. 

Owen came into the contest in the midst of a 7-game winning streak, extending back to Sept. 9. The team notched three of those victories before Tropical Storm Helene devastated the region,  forcing the 7-2-2 Warhorses to suspend their campaign for a month. 

They swept the Western Highlands Conference to clinch their fifth consecutive title, before dispatching Madison in the opening round of the playoffs. Three days later, Owen welcomed a Newton-Conover program that improved to 19-5-2 with the win.

Newton-Conover established an early lead, following a corner kick in the opening minutes of the contest, before Kendall worked his way through a pair of defenders, drawing contact and setting up a free kick. Owen’s leading goal-scorer drilled the ball into the top right corner of the net, evening the score, 1-1, which held through the first half.

Kendall gave the Warhorses the lead early in the second half, successfully converting another free kick opportunity. The Red Devils, who pressured Owen goalkeeper Jace Grogan throughout the night, evened the score, 2-2, with less than 20 minutes remaining in regulation. A successful penalty kick put the visiting team ahead 5 minutes later.

Kendall, who finished his Owen soccer career with 78 goals, despite missing most of his junior season with a knee injury, tied the match again in the 78th minute.

Newton-Conover, however, would not be denied in overtime, recording the go-ahead goal in the waning minutes of the first overtime period. The Red Devils defense held Owen off the scoreboard in the extra time, advancing to the third round.

Photos of the playoff match between Owen and Newton-Conover can be viewed in the gallery at the top of the page.