Asheville Aces Win PIHA Championship: Nationals Bound

by Dan Dean

The Asheville Aces are headed to the PIHA Finals after completing a two-game sweep of the Cary Title Wave Mops in the PIHA Minor Piedmont Division Final, winning 5–3 in Game 1 and 5–3 again in Game 2 at Pavilion Recreation Complex.

Game 1: Aces 5, Mops 3

The opener was tight early—2–2 after the first period—before Asheville’s attack took over in the second. Dan Dean (#17) scored twice (including an empty-netter at the horn), while Dustin Disbro (#87) added a goal and two-point support as the Aces held off Cary despite a near-even shot count (24–23 Asheville).

Game 2: Aces 5, Mops 3

Cary came out flying and built a 3–1 lead after the first, but Asheville delivered the response of the series: four unanswered goals in the second period to flip the game and the championship. Dan Dean (#17) again found the net twice, and Logan Garst (#89) fueled the comeback with a pair of goals as the Aces closed the door and secured the sweep.

What it Means

With the back-to-back 5–3 wins, the Aces—still only in their second season—have officially punched their ticket to the PIHA Finals, completing a rapid rise from new program to division champion.