APEX - Clint Miller is rarely asked by his Apex boys lacrosse coaches to score, just lock down the other team's best goal scorer. But when the defenseman stepped forward and scored a shorthanded, unassisted goal Friday night to widen the Cougars' lead in the third quarter, he had more goals than the attacker he was assigned to shadow.

Apex is a game away from a second straight state championship appearance after its 15-8 win against the visiting Wilmington Hoggard, thanks in large part to Miller marking Hoggard's Hunter Edens. Edens, who recently broke the NCHSAA record for goals in a season, was held to just two goals after entering the game with 85 in 20 games.

"I don't think anybody's done that to that kid all year," Apex coach John Hayden said. "For a good part of that game, Clint had outscored him or was even with him."

One of Edens' goals came when Miller was flagged for slashing and brought off the field. It was the only minute Miller didn't play.

"I talked a lot to Clint about being a stopper, and what a game," Hayden said. "I don't let him out of the game."

Miller cut off the Vikings' offensive flow by not allowing Hoggard players to deliver passes to Edens.

"I was playing no-stick (defense) with him, just running with him," Miller said. Hoggard scored the game's first goal, then traded blows with Apex until it was 3-3 with four minutes left in the first quarter. But then the Cougars delivered a knockout blow with a 9-3 run that stretched into the end of the third.

Nine different Cougars scored on the night, led by Michael Pittelli with four. Taylor Barrs, Curtis Holmes and Luke Sieber added two apiece.

Miller, Jake Fegely, Jonny Avedesian, Tyler Kazazian and Derek Sweet each had one goal.

East Chapel Hill 17, Middle Creek 13: Last year, Apex ended East Chapel Hill's lacrosse season with a win in the East finals of the playoffs.

The Wildcats (17-2) will have their chance at revenge in a rematch Tuesday after defeating Middle Creek (14-5) on Friday.

James Hughes found the net five times and recorded two assists to lead the Mustangs.

Correspondent Jonathan Jones contributed to this report.