Spring Creek graduates Alex Carmona Morales, left, and Jossue Pineda Hernandez will continue their soccer careers at William Peace University this fall. Standing with Morales and Hernandez is head coach Miguel Torres. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
SEVEN SPRINGS — Alex Carmona Morales and Jossue Pineda Hernandez quickly caught the Spring Creek coaching staff’s attention as freshman during preseason soccer workouts.Their natural talent, technical abilities and work ethic appeared unparalleled on the pitch.
“Alex was ready to work, could see it in his face,” Gators head coach Miguel Torres recalled. “Jossue, his technical abilities were incredible. I knew I could elevate it [but] had to get him used to ‘organized soccer,’ which is different from pickup.
“They’ve been in our program from start to finish, which shows they believed in it and trusted in it. [Both] have worked extremely hard to get where they’re at right now.”
First-generation college students in their respective families, Morales and Hernandez each reaped a well-deserved reward last week. They’ll join the William Peach University men’s soccer program this fall.
Highly-decorated for their achievements, Morales and Hernandez proudly carried the “tradition never graduates” banner in “The Swamp” during the 2021 and 2022 campaigns.
The Gators logged a total of 33 wins, claimed back-to-back Neuse Six 2A regular-season conference titles and made two third-round playoff trips.
Morales notched 21 goals and dished out 15 assists at striker, while Hernandez notched seven goals and four assists from the midfield this past season. The duo garnered All-Neuse Six 2A accolades and earned spots on the 2022 NC Soccer Coaches Association 2A Region 2 team.
“When I came here my freshman year, I knew this would come one day, so it’s been like a dream,” said Morales, a New Jersey native who first touched a soccer ball at three years old.
He realizes the collegiate game is a step faster than high school.
Opponents will be bigger, stronger and more physical.
“I was talking with Coach {Ryan Huber] and they said they would probably put me either at wing or somewhere in the midfield. That doesn’t bother me,” said Morales, who plans to major in business. “I’ve got to improve in everything. Before the ball comes to my feet, I have to know where I’m going to pass it or what am I going to do [with it].”
Hernandez appreciated the coaching staff’s transparency and honesty, and the positive direction of the entire program.
Like Morales, he excels at either wing or midfield.
“I think I can control the ball when I take on players on the wing,” Hernandez said. “Midfield, you can do a lot of things with that [but] controlling the midfield isn’t easy and you have to train to get prepared for that. I think I need to improve on most every aspect.
“I don’t think anyone is perfect.”
William Peace University knocked on the NCAA tournament door in 2021 and 2022, only to have it slammed shut each time. Double-overtime losses in USA South tournament play against Covenant (2021 semifinals) and Brevard (2022 finals) kept the Pacers out of the postseason picture.
Over the past three seasons, WPU has compiled a 28-8-7 record that includes a 14-3-3 mark against league competition. Coach Ryan Huber guided the Pacers to the 2021 USA South East title and a runner-up finish to NC Wesleyan in 2022.
“They’ve been preparing themselves for that next step and they’re definitely ready,” Torres said. “I think that’s somewhere they’ll be able to contribute and add to that program. It’s a big plus for them [WPU].”
