The Chapel Hill women’s soccer team closed out its 2025 campaign with its biggest win of the season—a 1-0 victory over crosstown rival East Chapel Hill High School on May 7. The win was especially sweet after the Tigers fell short in their first matchup against the Wildcats earlier in the year. With the victory, Chapel Hill secured its fifth straight DAC-VI conference title, finishing with an overall record of 10-8-1 and 8-2 in conference play.
Coming into the season, the team faced a significant rebuild. After graduating 12 seniors—many of whom were major contributors and team leaders—Chapel Hill had big shoes to fill and major adjustments to make.
To help guide the team through the transition, three seniors were named captains: Leah Johnson, Sarah Kappelman and Grace Ragosta. While captains traditionally lead through example and consistent performance, this trio took on more defined roles.
“I bridge the communication between the team and the coaches,” Johnson said. “I’ve also helped build team traditions and continue the positive environment the program has developed.” She noted the team’s rocky start and how her role—encouraging younger players and staying positive—paid off later in the season.
The Tigers opened the year with five straight losses before turning things around in a match against Jordan High School on April 26. Seniors Amani Bills and Jordan Moore each scored to snap the losing streak, earning the Tigers a 2-1 victory.
“I think something just collectively clicked for us,” Bills said. She believes the team’s mindset shifted as players began to realize it was their final season playing together.
“Our defense was so locked down, and I felt like they were working so hard and I wasn’t doing my part, so it was really just for them,” Bills added. That team-centered mentality helped fuel the Tigers’ turnaround.
Chapel Hill lost only two more matches the rest of the season—a 1-0 overtime defeat in the first game against East and a 3-1 loss to Riverside.
Much of the improvement came from focused preparation. Practices emphasized building confidence and chemistry.
“Drills where we combine three or four passes and then connect up top to our forwards have helped us collectively attack and ultimately score in games,” junior Paloma Bradley said.
That preparation showed in the regular season finale against East Chapel Hill on May 7. Fueled by weeks of growth and determination, the Tigers came out strong and edged the Wildcats 1-0 with Bills scoring the game-winning goal.
The team entered the state playoffs as the 10th seed and defeated Purnell Swett 1-0 in the first round on May 12. Four days later, the Tigers blanked D.H. Conley 2-0 to advance to the third round. Their postseason run ended with a 7-0 loss to a powerful Heritage team.
Despite the tough exit, the Tigers remain optimistic about next year and proud of what they accomplished.
The team was led by head coach Jason Curtis and assistant coach Kevin Schoden, both wrapping up their final seasons as coaches. Their leadership has been a cornerstone of the program’s success over many years, fostering not only competitive teams but also a strong team culture.
“The coaches are incredibly supportive, yet they’re always pushing us to be the best we can,” senior Emerson Stouder said. “I’ll miss Curtis’s dad jokes.”
On May 26, the Chapel Hill Athletic Department announced that current assistant coach Davis Boyle will take over as head coach for both the men’s and women’s soccer programs. A 1999 Chapel Hill graduate and a former collegiate player at Greensboro College, Boyle has taught Spanish at the school since 2004.
