WILSON - Getting to the state championship hasn't been a problem for Cary Christian's girls soccer program, but with those numerous appearances, second-place finishes are becoming all too familiar.

It was sixth straight appearance in the N.C. Independent Schools Athletic Association championship game for the Knights, and for the fifth time, Cary Christian ended its season as the state runner-up. On Saturday night at J. Burt Gillette Athletic Complex in Wilson, the Knights lost 3-1 to Greensboro's Caldwell Academy in the 2-A title match.

It was the third straight season Cary Christian came up short in the championship after winning the 2008 title.

"We're glad to be here, but we're getting tired of silver," Cary Christian coach Brian Twidt said.

The Knights (17-4-3) got on the board first as senior Noelle Beasley, a North Greenville (S.C.) recruit, sent in a corner kick that met junior Julia Manchester just above the 6-yard box. Manchester directed her header into the far corner to make the score 1-0 at the 24:43 mark in the first half.

Beasley and Manchester were each named all-state this year.

"We had them on their heels for the first 15 minutes," Twidt said. "If we could've held that the whole time I think would have been a different look."

After that, Caldwell Academy (20-1-3) dominated the game's pace.

The Eagles had more shots in the first half (7-5) and controlled possession after Manchester's goal. But Caldwell Academy couldn't seem to get one past senior goalkeeper Katrina Wertz.

Cary Christian had the best first-half opportunities, finding Beasley and Brae Buster on the break with a full head of steam at the goal.

In the second half, Caldwell Academy took away those long passes that hung in the air, and the Knights weren't able to adjust. It led to more possessions by Caldwell Academy, which led to more shots.

The Eagles outshot Cary Christian 17-8 for the game, and the Knights managed to put just three of their shots on goal.

"We didn't hold the ball long enough," Twidt said. "When we gave them the ball again, they transitioned on us."

In the second half, Caldwell Academy's Katie Robinson got free on a breakaway and was challenged by Wertz. Robinson's first attempt was blocked, but the ball went right back to her with Wertz on the ground. Robinson then tapped in an open-net goal at 31:03 to even the score at 1-1.

The teams went scoreless again until 9:57 left in the game, when Ashley Gorman headed in a cross by Caldwell Academy teammate Jayne Langmeyer.

The Eagles added one for good measure with 7:28 to go. Cary Christian's Janey Self smacked down a shot attempt in the box with her left hand, leading to a Caldwell Academy penalty kick, which Rebekah Page converted for the game's finally score.

The good news for Cary Christian is that only three of its players - Wertz, Beasley and Alexis White - are seniors, so most of this year's team will have the opportunity to end the runner-up blues next year.