The Imps lost 2-0 to the host Catamounts on Thursday but then found out that they are heading to the N.C. High School Athletic Association playoffs for the first time in six years.

Cary finished the regular season with a 7-8-1 Tri Nine conference record, tied with Athens Drive. The two teams split their head-to-head games, which meant that the fifth spot from the conference would be determined by a best win. Cary and Athens had identical records against the top four teams in the conference, but the Imps defeated seventh-place Middle Creek twice while the Jaguars had a tie with the Mustangs.

Cary athletics director Mike Dunphy and coach Laura Kerrigan were both pleased with the result. Dunphy was the head coach when the Imps reached the postseason in 2005.

"I'm very encouraged by the way we've been playing, especially in the second half of the season," said Kerrigan, who is in her third year leading the Imps. "We started slowly this season but I think we're peaking at the right time."

The playoffs begin Tuesday and Wednesday. Five Tri-Nine Conference teams have automatic bids and corresponding slots into a 64-team bracket, so teams know who they will play based on regular-season finish.

Athens Drive, which ended the year 7-9-1 overall, will have to hope its winning percentage is good enough to receive a wild-card bid.

Green Hope vs. Sanderson: Seedings aside, this game does not appear to be an easy first-round opener for Green Hope (17-1). Especially not after Sanderson (11-9-3), the No. 5 team in the Cap-8 Conference, recently upset Leesville Road, the state's top team.

Sophomore Alexis Shaffer leads the team with 15 goals, but the defense - led by defender Haley Rafols and goalkeeper Lisa Armstrong - has carried the load by posting 13 shutouts.

Apex vs. Broughton: This will be the third time in five years that Broughton and Apex (16-2-1) will play one another in the state playoffs. The two teams play this year's meeting on Wednesday.

The Cougars have won 10 of their last 11 games, not counting a forfeit by Middle Creek during the season. The Capitals (10-8) finished fourth in the Cap-8 Conference.

Panther Creek vs. Hoke County: The experienced Catamounts are hosting a playoff game for the first time Tuesday as they take on the Hoke County Bucks (12-6-2) out of the Southeastern Conference.

Panther Creek (14-4-1) has qualified for the playoffs the past three seasons, but head coach Leigh Haase believes this year's group has the potential to do something special.

"I think this is the best team we've ever had here at Panther Creek," said Haase. "We have an excellent chance to go far this year."

Panther Creek starts six seniors, including Ashley Clark, who will be playing for Campbell University next fall and leads the conference with 25 goals this year.

Holly Springs at Jordan: The Golden Hawks (9-7-1) launched themselves into the fourth spot in the Tri-Nine by defeating Athens in their season finale. They must play at Durham's Jordan (12-6-2), the second seed from the PAC-6 Conference, on Tuesday.

Jordan has lost to Green Hope and Apex this season, while also tying Panther Creek. This year's Falcons also have the distinction of becoming the only team to beat East Chapel Hill in a conference match since it opened in 1997.

Holly Springs has scored 33 goals this year and given up 32. Megan Poth leads the way with eight goals.

Cary at East Chapel Hill: The Imps' reward for making the playoffs for the first time in six years is a date with perennial powerhouse East Chapel Hill on Wednesday. Cary (8-8-2) has seen its defense steadily improve as the year has moved along, led by goalkeeper Annie McHenry, who made 12 saves against PC.

McHenry and fellow seniors Erin Beasley, Ciera Risk (leading scorer) and Holly McKay will get their first taste of the postseason after waiting their entire high school careers.

Although conference strength may have something to do with it, East Chapel Hill (17-5-3) is averaging 4.6 goals per game while only allowing 0.6 per contest.

Staff writer J. Mike Blake contributed to this report.