RALEIGH - Cary Academy freshman Rebecca Kenney is just at the start of her high school soccer career, but make no mistake – she’s a finisher.

After North Raleigh Christian Academy senior Lydia Fuller tied the score at 2-2 four minutes into the second half on Tuesday, Cary Academy turned its offensive focus to Kenney. The Chargers fed the freshman often, looking for her to add to her two-goal total and end the Knights’ rally.

With just under 13 minutes to go, Kenney responded, taking a long pass up the left side and sealing a 3-2 win for the Chargers with a breakaway goal.

“Once they tied it up, we kind of just dropped off,” Kenney said. “We just had to pick it up again and dig deep.”

Despite what the statistics indicate, Kenny said she wasn’t necessarily trying to score.

“I’m just looking for the open spaces,” Kenney said. “A lot of it is just to look before you get the ball. You have to plan a couple steps ahead.”

Cary Academy built a two-goal lead in the first half on early goals by Kenney. The freshman scored in the first 10 minutes on a penalty kick after a foul in the box. In the 22nd minute, she put a free kick from 30 yards out over the keeper.

“She’s a difference maker, and she was a difference maker for us tonight,” Cary Academy coach Jeff Costa said.

NRCA cut the deficit to one right before halftime when ?Rachel Horton got an open look inside the box after a cross was redirected in the box. The Knights then tied early in the second half on Fuller’s breakaway in the 44th minute. Costa said his team took advantage of performances by Kenney and Kelsey Miller.

“Whether it was their runs or their defense or their ball movement, I really liked what we were getting out of the two of them,” Costa said. “I told the girls, if you can play forward, play forward. If not, look for Kelsey or Becca.”

Miller didn’t have Kenney’s hat trick, but Costa said her performance shouldn’t be overlooked.

“Becca’s was splashier because it led to the goals,” Costa said. “But I felt like Kelsey Miller was doing as good a job for our team.”