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As the world celebrates soccer on its biggest stage, we're still celebrating a championship of our own.

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A women's soccer team celebrates their championship win on a green field with a stadium in the background.

Two weeks ago today, the Women's Soccer team added another remarkable chapter to one of the most successful athletic programs in North Carolina, defeating Franklin Academy 3-0 to capture the NCHSAA 2A State Championship.

The victory marks the Crusaders' fourth state championship in the last five seasons and serves as a testament to a program built on talent, teamwork, perseverance, and faith. 

From the opening whistle, CTK controlled the match with confidence and composure. The Crusaders created opportunities throughout the contest while displaying the disciplined defense and unselfish play that have become hallmarks of the program.

Junior Addi Peirce delivered a memorable championship performance, scoring all three goals in the victory and earning Most Valuable Player honors. Her hat trick provided the finishing touch to an outstanding team effort. Led by keeper Paige Roche and the formidable defense, the Crusaders earned another clean sheet. 

Libby Ryan was awarded the NC Farm Bureau Sportsmanship Award, recognizing the respect, leadership, and integrity she demonstrated throughout the season. 

As the soccer world turns its attention to the start of the World Cup this week, Pope Leo XIV offered a reflection that perfectly captures the spirit of this championship team:

"Soccer reminds us of something we must not forget: life is not a race to show off on our own, but a path we learn to walk together. Anyone who does not know how to pass the ball, even if they have talent, has not yet understood the game. Anyone who does not know how to live with and for others has not yet understood life."

Those words describe the Crusaders well.

This championship was never about one player or one match. It was the culmination of countless hours of preparation, sacrifice, encouragement, and trust in one another. It reflected the values that define CTK and our mission to believe sincerely, think critically, and serve others in the name of Christ the King.

Through every practice, every challenge, and every victory, these young women demonstrated that the strongest teams are built not simply on talent but on commitment to one another and a shared pursuit of excellence.

Congratulations to our players, coaches, families, and supporters on an extraordinary season and another state championship for the Crusaders.

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A smiling young woman in a blue soccer uniform holds a plaque and medal on a grassy field with a stadium in the background.
A smiling young woman in a blue soccer jersey holds a trophy in front of a blurred soccer field with %22SPORTSMANSHIP%22 written vertically on the right.
Three young women in blue athletic uniforms celebrate on a track with a fence and trees in the background.
A young woman in a blue soccer uniform celebrates a goal on a green field with a white soccer goal and spectators in the background.
Two female soccer players, one in blue and one in white, jump to head a soccer ball on a green field with a fence and trees in the background.
A female soccer player in a blue uniform kicks the ball on a green field, with a referee and other players in the blurred background.
A group of young women in blue soccer uniforms huddle together in celebration on a sunny field with a goal net in the background.
A soccer player in a blue uniform dribbles the ball on a green field with spectators in the background.
Two female soccer players vie for the ball on a green field in the foreground, while spectators and a referee watch from the background.
A female goalkeeper in a turquoise jersey stands in front of a soccer goal on a bright day, with a green fence and trees in the background.
A female soccer player in a blue uniform kicks a ball on a green field in the foreground, with bleachers and a building in the background.
Three young women in soccer uniforms are playing on a grassy field with a goal net behind them and trees in the distance.
A female goalkeeper in a blue jersey stands on a green soccer field with a ball at her feet, while a soccer goal and grassy hill are visible in the background.
Four young women in soccer uniforms are actively playing on a bright green field with a soccer goal and net in the background.
A soccer player in a blue uniform dribbles the ball on a green field with an ambulance in the background.
Five smiling young women in gray t-shirts and blue shorts proudly display their championship medals on a sunny day with a blurred green field and stadium in the background.
A young woman in a blue soccer uniform dribbles a ball on a green field with other players in the background.
Soccer players in blue and white uniforms compete for the ball on a green field in front of a goal net under a bright sky.
A soccer player in a blue uniform dribbles the ball on a green field with other players and an ambulance in the background.
Two girls in soccer uniforms chase a ball on a green field with a grassy hill in the background.
Two female soccer players, one in white and one in blue, compete for the ball on a bright green field with other players and a blurred background of trees and a fence.
Two female soccer players vie for the ball on a bright green field in front of a soccer goal, with a track and spectators visible in the blurred background.
Six young women in athletic wear and medals proudly hold a championship trophy on a grassy field in front of a stadium with bleachers.
Soccer players in blue and white uniforms run on a green field with a soccer ball in the air, while a fence and trees are visible in the background.
Two smiling young women hold a %222A Women's Soccer Champions 2026%22 banner on a bright green soccer field with stadium seating in the background.
A young woman in a blue %22Crusaders%22 jersey with the number 2 on it smiles with her arms outstretched in the foreground, while blurred figures and bleachers are visible in the background.
A young woman in a blue soccer uniform runs on a green field with white lines, while a building with bleachers stands in the background under a sunny sky.
A soccer team celebrates their championship win on a green field with a stadium in the background.
A young woman in a blue soccer uniform celebrates a goal on a green field with a white-netted goal and spectators in the background.
Two female soccer players vie for the ball on a bright green field with a soccer goal and other players in the background.
Two female soccer players in white and blue uniforms vie for the ball on a green field, with spectators and a stadium in the background.
Two female soccer players in the foreground are near a goal with a white net, while a blurred background shows spectators and trees under a bright sky.
A female soccer player in a blue uniform dribbles the ball on a green field with spectators in the background.
A young woman in a blue athletic uniform with arms outstretched celebrates on a track with a grassy hill in the background.
A soccer player in a blue uniform dribbles the ball on a green field with spectators in the background.
A young woman in athletic wear proudly holds a soccer championship trophy on a bright green field with a blurred background of spectators and trees.
A gold medal with a red and blue ribbon hangs in the foreground against a blurred green background of a sports field.
A smiling girl in a gray t-shirt and blue shorts lies on a red track, a medal around her neck, with white lines of the track extending into the background.
Four women in blue soccer uniforms and two coaches stand on a green turf field holding a championship banner and trophies, with a stadium and track visible in the background.
Two smiling women in blue shirts hold a soccer championship plaque on a grassy field with a soccer game in the background.
Two female soccer players in white and blue uniforms battle for the ball on a sunny green field with a blurred background of a track and bleachers.
A female soccer player in a blue uniform celebrates with her arms raised on a green field, with a soccer goal and a track in the background.
A female soccer player in a blue uniform kicks the ball on a green field, with a referee in a pink shirt and other players in the background.
Spectators in blue cheer from bleachers in the background while a group of young women in blue uniforms walk onto a field in the foreground.
Soccer players in blue and white uniforms battle for the ball in front of a goal, with a goalkeeper in yellow and other players visible in the background.
Three smiling young women in grey t-shirts and medals pose with a large trophy on a green soccer field, with a blurred track and spectators in the background.
A group of young female soccer players in blue and orange uniforms huddle together on a green field with bleachers and a track in the background.
A group of young women in blue soccer uniforms pose on a green field in the foreground, with a large building and stadium in the background.
A group of young women in blue uniforms celebrate a victory on a green turf field with a stadium in the background.
A smiling young woman in a blue soccer uniform holds a plaque and a medal on a grassy field with a goal in the background.
Two young women in blue soccer uniforms walk arm-in-arm on a bright green field with stadium seating and other people in the background.
Two girls in white and blue uniforms compete for a soccer ball on a bright green field in the foreground, with bleachers and trees visible in the background.
Two women in blue shirts stand in the foreground with their backs to the camera, while a referee in a pink shirt and other people in green shirts are visible in the blurred background on a sunny sports field.
Young female soccer players in blue uniforms run on a green field in the foreground, with spectators in bleachers visible in the blurred background.
A group of young women in blue soccer uniforms are gathered near a goal on a sunny day, with a white bus visible in the background.
A group of young women in blue uniforms, some wearing medals and holding a championship banner, pose on a soccer field in front of stadium bleachers.
A group of jubilant female soccer players in blue and light blue uniforms celebrate with a trophy on a grassy field, with stadium seating and a bright blue sky in the background.
Four smiling women in blue shirts and athletic wear stand on a green soccer field holding a championship banner and trophies, with a stadium and tents visible in the background.
Two smiling young women in blue uniforms hold championship trophies on a track with a stadium and trees in the background.
Three soccer players in blue uniforms celebrate on a green field with a blurred background of a track and grassy hill.
Two soccer players vie for the ball on a bright green field in front of bleachers and a referee.
A soccer player in a blue jersey kicks the ball on a green field, with other players and a soccer goal in the blurred background.
A smiling young woman in a blue athletic jersey holds a trophy on a green turf field with a soccer goal in the blurred background.
A group of young women in blue soccer uniforms celebrate on a green field with stadium seating in the background.
A group of young female athletes in blue jerseys huddle together with their arms around each other, while blurred spectators watch from the background.
Players in blue and white uniforms are engaged in a soccer game on a green field in front of a goal, with a white bus and trees visible in the background.
Three girls in athletic wear play soccer on a bright green field with a fence and trees in the background.
Three young women in soccer uniforms are playing on a field with spectators in bleachers in the background.
Two female soccer players, one in a white jersey and the other in a blue jersey, compete for the ball on a green field with a blurred background of a track and grassy hill.
A soccer goalie in a turquoise jersey leaps to block a shot in front of a white goal, with players in white and blue uniforms and a grassy field visible in the background.
A soccer goalie dives to save a goal while players in blue and white uniforms surround the net on a sunny day with a bus visible in the background.
A young woman in a blue soccer uniform celebrates with her arms raised on a green field, with a soccer goal and blurred figures in the background.
A soccer goalie in a teal jersey defends the net against players in white and blue uniforms, with a blurred green treeline and buildings in the background.
Two female soccer players in white and blue uniforms vie for the ball on a green field with a blurred background of a soccer goal and spectators.
A soccer player in a blue uniform kicks the ball towards the goal, while a goalie in a light blue uniform stands ready in the background.
A group of young women in blue uniforms celebrate a victory on a soccer field with a trophy, while stadium seating and trees form the background.
A soccer player in a blue uniform kicks a ball on a green field in the foreground, with other players and a fence in the background.
Two female soccer players in white and blue uniforms chase a soccer ball on a green field with a blurred grassy hill in the background.
Two young women in soccer uniforms battle for the ball on a green field with spectators in the background.
A women's soccer team celebrates their championship win on a green field with a stadium in the background.

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