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GREENSBORO — The undefeated Page boys soccer team faces Cary Green Hope tonight in the NCHSAA 4-A state championship game at WakeMed Soccer Stadium in Cary. Here's a look at the two teams.

HOW THEY GOT HERE: Green Hope has shown a flair for the dramatic in advancing to its first title game since 2001, winning its last seven matches by a single goal each. The Falcons bowed out in the state semifinals four of the last five seasons, and Green Hope head coach Andrew Chadwick called this year's breakthrough "a relief" to the Raleigh News & Observer.

Green Hope, which boasts 10 seniors, pulled the upset of the tournament by beating top-ranked Durham Jordan 2-1 in the third round. Page, which is 4-3 in seven previous title game appearances, has won nine straight and is outscoring opponents 16-1 in the postseason.

The Pirates have shut out their last four opponents, including a 2-0 win over Asheville T.C. Roberson on Wednesday.

This will be the Pirates' fourth match in seven days thanks to last week's rain delays, but Chadwick still thinks his team is the underdog, telling the Cary Citizen "we haven't been favored all year. We'll just give it our best shot. That's worked so far."

OFFENSE: Rob Lovejoy has scored in every playoff match for Page, and along with Glen Alan Long and Mamadee Nyepon comprises a relentlessly creative attacking unit that isn't turned away easily.

The Pirates have scored multiuple goals in all but seven matches and have 107 on the season. Green Hope's only scored 60, but they've been timely.

Senior midfielder Jared Girard had both goals in the win over Jordan and the game-winner Wednesday against Pinecrest. Senior forwards Nader Jaibat and Andrew Wolschlag hooked up on the Falcons' other goal Wednesday and are threats in the open field.

DEFENSE: Though not called on often lately, Pirates goalkeeper Tom Jackson has stood on his head in net for the Pirates in the playoffs, using his tall frame to disrupt attacks in the air.

He gets a good bit of rest because of the efforts of Hans Lohmeyer, Cody Baker, Andrew Veazey, Patrick Parker, Pierce Verchick, Matthew Mills and others, who anchor a defense that has allowed only nine goals all season.

Green Hope has been scored on in seven of its last nine matches but has 14 shutouts on the year. Falcons goalkeeper James Earle has been stellar this postseason.

PREDICTION: Green Hope has been called a team of destiny, but the Pirates have been making their own destiny all season. Page 2, Green Hope 1.

Contact Tom Keller at 373-7034 or tom.keller@news-record.com