Pride forward Caroline Gentry was blowing past defenders with her speed. Green Hope's star striker Alexis Shaffer was placing perfect passes to teammates in the box. And both goalkeepers were stopping some of the most difficult shots they've faced all season.

For much of the match, the Falcons were the aggressors. Headers became the difference as Leesville Road scored three times on headers, including twice in overtime, to defeat Green Hope 3-1 in the third round of the N.C. High School Athletic Association 4-A playoffs on Wednesday night.

Kellie Baker's header tied the score in the 63rd minute. The goal was the midfielder's first of the season for Leesville Road (21-1-1), which advances to the quarterfinals to host East Chapel Hill on Friday night.

"That was a beautiful glancing header, and I think that opened the door for us," coach Paul Dinkenor said. "We've worked really hard on aerial stuff, and we've gotten a lot better."

In the second overtime, midfielder Stephanie Bronson headed in two goals in a five-minute stretch to lead the Pride to victory.

In the past two playoff matches, all of Leesville Road's goals have come from headers.

"It was a really excited moment for me, especially in such a big game in the state playoff," Bronson said. Bronson scored her first goal in the 92nd minute by being the only player to adjust to a deflection off of long shot attempt from midfielder Rachel Hunter. As her teammate's shot bounced off the back of a Falcons defender, Bronson sprinted toward the net before flicking the ball past Green Hope goalkeeper Lisa Armstrong.

"I watched the goalie go to one side of the net, and I just forced the ball to the other side," Bronson said. "That kind of play doesn't really happen much."

Green Hope (19-2) scored early in the first half to take the lead when Pride goalkeeper Zaria Maynard deflected a long throw-in by Falcons midfielder Caitlin Messina into the net.

The Falcons also had other chances to score with attempts from Shaffer and forward Grace Hamashima.

But Maynard, particularly in overtime, made one-handed saves in keeping Green Hope from scoring.

"Everyone has been so supportive, and being on this team is an honor," said Maynard, who is a freshman surrounded by senior teammates. "After that first goal, I just knew I had to play my hardest. I've always been told that aggressiveness is my key, and today it showed."

The Pride also has shown in its past two matches that it can win in overtime, something Dinkenor knows is necessary in order for the Pride to win a third state title in four seasons.

"These girls are experienced, and I just felt if we could just get that one break, our kids would know what to do," Dinkenor said. "There were a lot of heroes tonight."