CORNELIUS, N.C. – With one week remaining in the regular season, Hough’s girls soccer team has positioned itself to control its 4A playoff destiny.

Goals from Olivia Miller and Ava Hauser sent the Huskies past Northwest Guilford 2-0 on Friday night and kept their unbeaten record intact at 21-0-1.

The late-season non-conference match also gave the team a competitive change of pace after it had won its last six Queen City Athletic Conference matches by forfeit or mercy rule.

Eleven minutes into the match, Hauser maneuvered deep into Viking territory and sent a ball towards the center of the box. Miller was there to settle and score from 10 yards out to go up 1-0.

That score held through the half.

In the 43rd minute, Hauser earned a penalty kick after being tripped in the box. She calmly sent the ball to the back of the net for her 15th goal of the year.

Hauser, Miller, and Elise Larimer all have 15+ goals to their name this season. Even more impressive is that the trio each has 15+ assists as well.

Northwest Guilford countered with an impressive offensive attack over the final 30 minutes, but could not break through against Riley Pickels.

Pickels and the Huskies’ defense have posted a clean sheet in all but three matches this season.

Hough ends conference play next week against Hopewell, whom it defeated 1-0 on April 3. The Huskies then travel to Hickory Ridge, which is projected as the No. 1 4A West seed on May 8.

These matches have significant postseason implications. Entering Wednesday, HighSchoolOT projects Hough to face Hopewell in this year’s playoffs. Northwest Guilford, Hickory Ridge, and Ardrey Kell (Hough’s lone draw) are also projected on the Huskies’ half of the bracket.

HighSchoolOT updates weekly NCHSAA playoff projections based on the state’s RPI formula. This information is available for those who are HighSchoolOT Insiders. To become an HSOT Insider or view the most recent projections, click below.