The King’s Fork High School girls’ soccer team has shown promise this season, but Friday night was something else. Hosting undefeated Hickory High School, the Lady Bulldogs executed a 3-2 victory that constituted one of the biggest local upsets in recent history.

“First time a Suffolk team has beat Hickory,” King’s Fork head coach Jason Stump stated via text message.

The Lady Hawks (7-1) are one of the most highly regarded teams in the area, but the Lady Bulldogs would not be denied, despite playing without their starting goalkeeper and a starting defender.

“This shows the team’s growth and determination to move forward, especially after the controversial manner of the way (the Nansemond River High School) game unfolded and a tie against Oscar Smith,” Stump stated.

King’s Fork fell in overtime to Nansemond River on April 4. KF freshman Cydney Nichols had a shot at the game-winner in overtime. She was fouled, and both coaches agreed it should have been a red-card offense, but the officials did not call it that way, and the Warriors finished the game at full strength and win.

But Nichols bounced back on Friday, assisting on her team’s first goal, which was scored by junior forward Lindsey Ransome.

All of the goals for both teams were scored in the first half. Nichols added to her team’s tally by scoring on a penalty kick, and Ransome scored the game-winning goal off an assist from sophomore Logan Montel.

For Stump, his team’s performance was just a confirmation.

“This is the team I knew we had,” Stump stated. “I know that this reaffirms that, and the girls now have solidified within themselves what they are capable of.”

King’s Fork, which moved above .500 with the win, has been aided significantly by its speedy forwards, Nichols and Ransome, but many other players are key contributors, too.

Two of them are team captains who starred on Friday in different positions from their usual spots.

“Hannah Washburn moved from midfield to goalkeeper and did a standout job to fill in for our normal keeper who was away,” Stump stated.

Junior midfielder Rachel Gist also transitioned to defense, filling in for a missing starter.

Others shone in their normal positions.

“Becca Washburn played a high-level game, which is her standard at midfield, as did Logan Montel,” Stump stated. “Skylar Wall continued to set the tone of our defense.”

“Each girl had great moments tonight, and they each recovered from mistakes and a physical game,” the coach stated.

Stump distributed credit to his assistant coach, Mike Marston, for his team’s success this season.

“He is volunteering his time and is an enormous asset to player development and training,” he stated. “His input during games is vital to our success.”

But his players also get credit for their work ethic.

“The girls have worked hard for years to get to the level they are at, and they are the reason for this,” he stated.

Following spring break, King’s Fork (4-3-1, 1-1) will return to action on April 22 at Western Branch High School.