SEVEN SPRINGS — Five players tallied one goal apiece during Spring Creek’s 5-0, non-conference triumph over North Lenoir in girls’ soccer action Thursday.
Lucero Velasquez, Nina Zepeda, Vanessa Lemus, Gabriella Sutton and Evelyn Perez each found the back of the net against the Hawks.
Spring Creek improved to 3-0-0 against North Lenoir since 2020.
“We needed the confidence to start the season and the girls did just that,” said SC head coach Rileigh Tillus, whose team dropped their 2024 opener Tuesday at Northern Nash. “We had a rough start last year, but they never gave up. That growth turned over and is starting to show out this year.
“My goal is to always do better than the previous year, but no matter what they make me proud. It was a good learning game, and the other team never gave up so they needed to stay on their toes. I think we can use things from this game to help for future competitors.”
Weather permitting, the Gators (1-1-0 overall) entertain county rival Southern Wayne today. The Gators have won four straight against the Saints and hold a 6-1-0 edge in the series since 2016.
Kickoff is 4 p.m. at “The Swamp.”
Saints post shutout
DUDLEY — Southern Wayne remained unbeaten on the soccer pitch with a 2-0, non-conference conquest of county girls’ rival Rosewood on Thursday afternoon.
Allya Segura and Mohaganee Miller supplied one goal apiece for the Saints, who improved to 2-0-0 this season. Karen Flores provided two assists.
SW goalie Amya Smith collected four saves.
“The back line did their best to keep Rosewood on their heels,” Saints coach Feliciano Luciano said.
The Saints travel to Spring Creek today. Game time is 4 p.m.
Gators fall to Hawks
SEVEN SPRINGS — North Lenoir outscored Spring Creek 17-4 over a three-inning stretch and exited “The Swamp” with a 17-5, five-inning victory Thursday evening.
The Hawks’ tandem of Maddie Rouse and Hallie Fowler combined for a two-hitter inside the circle, according to stats posted on MaxPreps. Rouse gave up two runs (one earned) and registered one strikeout in two innings. Fowler permitted three runs (one earned), walked two and retired three Gators on strikeouts.
Weather permitting, Spring Creek (0-2 overall) plays host to county rival Southern Wayne (0-2) this afternoon. First pitch is 4 p.m.
Eagles topple Saints
DUDLEY — Six Rosewood batters logged extra-hit efforts in the scorebook during a 13-3, non-conference conquest of Southern Wayne on the softball diamond Thursday.
Winning pitcher Hayley Bedford pounded out three doubles in five at-bats and collected four RBI for the Eagles. Inside the circle, Bedford permitted two unearned runs on four hits, walked three and retired six Saints on strikeouts.
Georgia Brogden finished the day 3-for-4 with two RBI. Addyson McKeel (RBI), Katlyn Vernon (RBI), McCandless St. John (RBI) and Marley Parrish (RBI) provided two hits apiece.
St. John hurled three innings of two-hit, four-strikeout relief.
Regan Stribble, Morgan Brimberry, Mckenzie Strickland (RBI) and Mylee Wiggs each recorded one hit for the Saints. Laura Summerlin drew two walks.
Stribble (0-2) endured the mound loss. The sophomore right-hander surrendered 11 earned runs on 16 hits, walked two and collected four strikeouts. She threw 112 pitches.
The teams met for the first time since 2012.
Weather permitting, Southern Wayne (0-2 overall) and Rosewood (2-0) travel this afternoon. The Saints invade “The Swamp” for a non-conference outing against Spring Creek, which starts at 4 p.m. The Eagles are the guests of Corinth-Holders.
