NL-SW soccer
By Ryan Hanchett
Published in Sports on October 19, 2010 1:46 PM
DUDLEY -- Southern Wayne celebrated senior night in a big way.
The Saints scored three times in each half and fended off Eastern Carolina 3-A Conference opponent North Lenoir 6-3 at the Doyle Whitfield Athletic Complex on Monday night.
The victory kept the Saints in the state playoff mix.
"This was a big win for us for two reasons," said Saints head coach Mario Aguilar said. "First it was a night to celebrate with our two seniors and second it moved us back above .500 in the conference."
North Lenoir got the game's first scoring chance in the second minute when Oscar Navasette hit the post with a point-blank shot. Just 35 seconds later, the Saints put in the game's first goal when Fenny Martinez collected a pass from Jesus Rodriquez and buried it in the back of the net.
Rodriquez added a second assist in the 26th minute on a goal by Alan Nunez. In the 35th minute it was Nunez who tallied an assist, this time on a goal by Ivan Perez.
Leading 3-0 the Saints used the halftime break to honor their two seniors Rodriquez and Horacio Ayala. After the break, North Lenoir began celebrating.
Navasette scored the Hawks' first goal just 14 seconds into the second half and got his team back in the game. Southern Wayne quickly stopped the rally when Rodriquez scored his first goal of the game in the 42nd minute.
Nunez added a second goal in the 47th minute that put the game on ice.
"Our offense was very good tonight," said Aguilar. "If we play like we did tonight, we are capable of beating anybody."
Filberto Gonzalez and Wilmar Gonzalez each added a late goal for the Hawks. Rodriquez added a goal in the 79th minute for Southern Wayne.
The Saints finished with a 17-10 advantage in shots on goal. Southern Wayne keeper Luis Castaneda finished with four saves.
Southern Wayne (6-8-0 overall, 6-5-0 ECC) travels to Charles B. Aycock on Wednesday, while North Lenoir (8-8-3, 4-7-0) entertains Eastern Wayne.