Smallwood, a N.C. School of Science & Math junior midfielder, followed the lead of his elder -- senior midfielder Ken Addison -- who assisted on Smallwood's goal that lifted the Unicorns to a 1-0 win over East Montgomery and the boarding school's first N.C. High School Athletic Association 1-A boys' soccer state championship.

Science & Math (19-4-1) posted its third shutout in five state playoff matches, against an Eagles team that had been shut out once and averaged 8.7 goals per outing in 24 previous matches.

"We knew what we were coming up against, and we just tried to hold them back," Science and Math coach Henry Gallagher said. "We've had an awesome defense all year. They've never come up against a team as strong as us defensively.

"We knew that one goal would win this game -- whoever it was."

The Unicorns, who struggled to contain the flank runs of the East Montgomery strikers before halftime, mustered the second half's first quality scoring chance in the 57th minute.

Addison drove toward the endline to the right of goal and induced Eagles goalkeeper Agustin Munoz out of position.

Addison tapped a ball leftward to Smallwood, who converted from the top of the 6-yard box.

"I was planning originally to try to cross it. But I ended up going shoulder-to shoulder with a man," championship MVP Addison said. "He went down and I went through the ball. I saw either the net or my roommate. I thought he had a great opportunity, I passed it to him and he finished it."

East Montgomery (22-2-1), though bothered by the slippery turf at the WRAL Soccer Complex, did not go away quietly.

Forward Charlie Williams managed two more shots on goal within a two-minute span, including a 10-yarder that missed wide right with 7:40 remaining.

Williams secured Daniel Hernandez's corner kick and fired a one-timer, only to have it snared by Science & Math goalkeeper Chris Nicholas with 5:45 left.

"They played well. We played well," East Montgomery coach Heriberto Corral said. "It was either-or. They took it and won it."