But with 19 wins and an I-Meck Conference soccer championship this fall, the Huskies were unable to match last season's playoff run or ride this year's momentum and a No. 2 state ranking into the postseason.

Ardrey Kell, the No. 4 team from the perennially strong Southwestern Conference, was perceived as a challenging first-round opponent and proved to be just that. The Knights upset Hough 2-1 in last Wednesday's first round, providing an abrupt end to a promising Huskies season.

"We played tight," Hough coach David Smith said this week.

Hough closed the season 19-2-2.

"There was so much that was positive all year," said Smith. "I couldn't be more proud of a group of guys. They set the bar so high. That's what makes the other night so hard."

Ardrey Kell, whose girls' team showed Hough the exit in the state semifinals last spring, entered the match with 14 wins and struck in the first 10 minutes with a goal by Ryan Cooper. It wasn't until there were 10 minutes to play that Hough answered, with a header by Santiago Patino, who was following a header by Troy Armstrong. Tied 1-1 and playing at home, Hough was back in it. But with two minutes to play, Ardrey Kell disrupted a Hough pass, quickly countered and Zhuvonte Wilson scored the decisive goal.

Titans lose in 1st Rd.

Hopewell's season also ended in the first round of the 4A playoffs.

Porter Ridge topped Hopewell 4-1 as the Titans finished the year 6-12-1. Edwin Gomez scored the lone Titan goal on an assist from Eli Greear.

— Staff