Staff report

CHINA GROVE — Freshman Avery Rawlings had a hat trick as South Rowan’s girls soccer team beat Carson 4-1 in Tuesday’s South Piedmont Conference match.

Rawlings has eight goals for the season. All eight have been against Rowan opponents. She’s scored five against Carson.

Chloe Tracy also scored for South. Tracy has four goals and seven assists.

Assists were credited to Cailynn Withers and Ella Morgan.

Margo Maples made 11 saves.

The win gave South a season sweep of the Cougars. South prevailed 3-2 in the first meeting.

Both teams are in the middle of the SPC standings, but the Raiders (9-4, 7-4) are in great shape to make the playoffs at 20th in the 3A West RPI rankings. Carson (9-7-1, 7-5-1) is 33rd, so the Cougars have some work to do. Both teams have three SPC matches left.

Lake Norman Charter sits atop the SPC standings and is fourth in the 3A West RPI rankings. Northwest Cabarrus is 11th. Central Cabarrus is 19th.