APEX, N.C. — The fifth straight conference title isn’t a lock yet for Holly Springs girls lacrosse, but the vision is getting less blurry.

The No. 7 Golden Hawks won at previously unbeaten No. 9 Apex by a 13-11 score on Tuesday night, keeping Holly Springs atop the Southwest Wake Athletic Conference.

Holly Springs (13-1, 6-0) has won the last four SWAC titles. Apex (11-1, 6-1) poses the biggest challenge on paper — and on the field too.

Holly Springs’ second-quarter defense, helped by a strong performance by Reagan Arp at the “X” to keep possession, helped build a 7-3 lead at halftime.

But Apex scored the first four goals of the third quarter in quick succession, and the match was tied. Holly Springs settled down toward the end of the third, went on a 3-0 run, and took a 10-7 lead into the fourth.

“Our team is able to handle setbacks very well,” Arp said.

Apex cut the lead to two goals on back-to-back goals in the fourth. * scored from the free position, and there was a penalty that allowed Apex another free position shot with both goals counting towards the total. Without a draw between them, the Cougars scored twice in mere seconds to make it 13-11.

However, Arp won the game’s final draw and Holly Springs held on to win a game that will undoubtedly hold a lot of conference championship importance down the stretch.

BOX SCORE
HSP 3-4-3-3 13
APX 2-1-4-4 11

Holly Springs
Goals: Carmen Cappellett (3), Kaia Tibbet (4), Adlee Grissett (1), Reagan Arp (2), Marin Horn (1), Lexie Von Koch (2)
Assists: Lexie Von Koch (3), Carmen Cappellett (1), Reagan Arp (1)

Apex
Goals: Mackenzie Fleming (4), Katy Wade (3), Taylor McKenna (1), Taylor Sharpe (3)
22, 10, 22, 10, 20, 7, 22, 22, 10, 20, 20
Assists Taylor Sharpe (2), Katy Wade (1), Paide Derda (1), Taylor McKenna (1)