Southern Wayne’s Ivan Alvarado, who scored the game’s opening goal, keeps possession against a Franklinton defender Monday evening. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Southern Wayne’s Cesar Espinoza challenges Franklinton’s Charlie Lillenthal for possession of the ball Monday evening. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
Southern Wayne’s Cesar Espinoza controls a loose ball during first-half play against Franklinton on Monday evening. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
DUDLEY — Southern Wayne’s senior class achieved another milestone on the soccer pitch Monday evening.
A junior helped make it happen.
Miguel Campuzano supplied two goals within a nine-minute stretch, which helped lift the Saints to their first-ever postseason win at home — a 4-1 conquest of Franklinton in round one of the NC High School Athletic Association Class 3A playoffs.
Seeded 16th in the east bracket, the Saints (15-5-1 overall) drew a second-round date at top-seeded First Flight (17-0-1) on Thursday evening.
“Getting on the scoreboard early, that was our main thing,” SW head coach Luis Ramirez said.
Before Campuzano’s break-through goals, another junior – Ivan Alvarado – delivered the Saints’ first score. He gathered a loose ball down the left sideline, dribbled into the 18-yard box and ripped a perfect strike past Rams keeper Jackson Blake.
Franklinton answered one minute later on Avery Doi’s header to the back post off a corner kick.
“We kept attacking, knowing something was going to break,” Ramirez said. “We watched a lot of film from them. We noticed that individually-wise, they weren’t the best, but they worked well as a team. We had to transition quick and trust our teammates.”
Campuzano notched the eventual game-winner tally in the 13th minute. His right-footed shot deflected off Blake’s gloves and into the net.
In the 21st minute, Campuzano scored again.
Down 3-1, the 17th-seeded Rams (12-8-0) controlled possession and dictated the tempo in the second half. They intercepted passes, worked balls through the midfield and created numerous scoring opportunities.
Despite their passive mentality, the Saints – particularly goalie Osbaldo Avila and his backline defense – survived the challenges.
“We didn’t play our game, were giving them the ball way too much, dropping back and trying to boot it long,” Ramirez said. “That isn’t always our game, but luckily they weren’t able to capitalize on some clear opportunities they had.”
Skervenson Aphael collected the Saints’ final goal in the 77th minute.
Southern Wayne claimed its fifth opening-round playoff win in program history and first since 2017. The Saints are making their ninth postseason appearance — all in the 3A ranks.
