Spring Creek continues re-writing men's soccer record books

By Rudy Coggins
Published in Sports on November 2, 2006 1:47 PM

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SEVEN SPRINGS -- Spring Creek continues re-writing its men's soccer history books.

The Gators defeated Raleigh Charter 2-0 and earned the program's first-ever postseason victory on Wednesday evening. Spring Creek (13-2) entertains N.C. School of Science and Math in a second-round, N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 1-A playoff match on Saturday.

A game time has not been determined.

"Raleigh Charter is very talented and our speed definitely was the difference in the game last night," said first-year Gators coach Russell Stephens.

Defense played a key role, too. Antonio Ponce and Jose Escobar each recorded two header saves and keeper Angel Sanchez posted 11 saves of his own in the shutout win.

"Our defense played hard to keep them out of the goal," said Stephens.

Ricky Rangel and Manuel Moreno each provided a goal for Spring Creek, ranked No. 8 in this week's N.C. Soccer Coaches Association 1-A poll.

Eastern Wayne

shut out on road

WINTERVILLE -- South Central tallied the game's lone goal late in the first half and upended Eastern Wayne 1-0 in an opening-round, N.C. High School Athletic Association Class 3-A men's soccer playoff match Wednesday evening.

The Falcons (10-8-1 overall) avenged a pair of regular-season losses to the Warriors, who concluded their season at 8-11-2. South Central travels to defending state champion Jacksonville on Saturday.

Thomas Floyd broke the scoreless tie midway through the 31st minute when he kicked a loose ball that had been covered by Warrior keeper Josh Olmsted into the goal.

"It was a somewhat controversial call," said Eastern Wayne coach Jörg Wagner. "We thought the keeper clearly had possession of the ball and was fouled prior to the play."

Adam Wells received credit for the assist.

Play became more physical in the second half. The midfield official doled out more than half a dozen yellow cards. Eastern Wayne's Eric Suncin, who also wrestles, sustained an ankle injury and had to be helped off the field.

South Central keeper Josh Tracy posted five saves and earned the shutout.

"The game was a microcosm of our entire season -- we play well, keep possession, move the ball intelligently, create some chances on goal and come up short in the end," said Wagner. "We were competitive all year, but lacked good fortune on the scoreboard.

"Our usual late-season run did not materialize this time, but with two seniors, I am looking forward to 2007."

Captain Dustin Smith and defender Oscar Suncin played their final game for the Warriors.

Cougars slip

past Hawks in OT

LaGRANGE -- An own goal in regulation and Worth Farrington's game-winning goal in the second sudden-death overtime lifted Croatan to a 3-2 victory over North Lenoir on Wednesday evening.

The Cougars, a wild-card entry, travel to Waccamaw champion South Brunswick for a second-round, N.C. High School Athletic Association 2-A playoff match Saturday.

North Lenoir ended the year 10-9-2.

Tyler Smith and C.C. Croom provided second-half goals for the Hawks.

Croatan (7-8) collected the own goal with 13 seconds left in regulation. After two scoreless 10-minute overtime periods and one exhausting sudden-death stanza, Farrington headed a shot into the net off Cody Bryant's assist.

Hawks keeper Bryce Grady posted 11 saves in the 106-minute contest.

Greene Central

ousted by Panthers

SNOW HILL -- Wild-card entry East Duplin eliminated Greene Central 5-0 from the N.C. High School Athletic Association 2-A playoffs on Wednesday evening.

Ivan Martinez had 10 saves for the Rams, who concluded the year 8-11.

Seniors Jorge Gonzalez and Juan Mendez played their final game for Greene Central.

NCSSM drops

Rosewood in 1-A

DURHAM -- The N.C. School of Science and Math defeated Rosewood 5-0 during opening-round play of the N.C. High School Athletic Association 1-A playoffs on Wednesday.

The Eagles concluded the year 8-9-1.

Seniors Goss Kendall, Drew Kriger, Travis Mitchell, Scott Price and Ian Dillard played their final game for Rosewood.

Middle schools

Norwayne volleyball d. Eastern Wayne 25-10, 25-22, 28-26 -- The Cobras fashioned an unblemished 16-0 worksheet and claimed their fourth consecutive Wayne County Middle School Athletic Conference Division I championship. Ashley Shingleton, Cassidy Anderson, Jessica Hare, Ashley Thomas, Brooke Vail and Connor Davis played well throughout the three-set sweep. Norwayne finished the season with a 37-match win streak.