Offensive barrage sends Owen seniors off with 9-0 victory

Warlassies close out regular season with Senior Night victory over Avery

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
May 6, 2026

Half a dozen Owen seniors were recognized, May 6, as the Warlassies hosted their final home match of the regular season.

The pre-game ceremony at midfield was immediately followed by a barrage of goals, as Owen celebrated Senior Night with a 9-0 victory over Avery.

Nina Yoosuf, Ace Drake, Natalie Orellana-Galdamez, Rilyn Boueres, Laela Griffin and Ryann Rodriguez all started the Western Highlands Conference matchup between the 8-7-2 Warlassies and 10-9 Vikings. Owen entered the contest in third place in the conference standings.

While the veteran Warlassies were in the spotlight prior to the kickoff, sophomore Carlee Grace Stewart gave her team an early advantage in the ninth minute with her first of three goals in the match. Boueres became the first senior to score a goal, before junior Lily Berry connected for one of two goals in the contest.

The Warlassies established a 6-0 advantage before the half, as Griffin, facing away from the goal, turned on a pass from the corner, slipping the ball into the net. Junior Sadie Lyda continued the offensive attack in the first four minutes of the second half, followed by another goal from Berry.

Rodriguez was the third senior to record a goal against Avery, lofting a kick over the head of the opposing goalkeeper to trigger the 9-goal rule.

The Warlassies closed the regular season with their third 9-0 victory and seventh clean sheet of the campaign. Owen is ranked 16th among 3A teams in the Ratings Percentage Index (RPI), with NCHSAA Soccer Playoff brackets scheduled to be released Friday, May 8. Postseason play will begin Monday, May 11.

Photos from Owen’s senior night victory over Avery can be viewed in the gallery at the top of the page.