Spring Creek’s Diego Morales (7) and J.H. Rose’s David McAlduff collide after Morales sends the ball upfield during a match earlier this season. The Gators defeated Goldsboro, 3-0, Thursday evening. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)

Spring Creek’s Diego Morales (7) and J.H. Rose’s David McAlduff collide after Morales sends the ball upfield during a match earlier this season. The Gators defeated Goldsboro, 3-0, Thursday evening. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)

SEVEN SPRINGS — That brutal, non-conference schedule stacked with 2023 conference champions and playoff qualifiers has paid the dividends Spring Creek expected — thus far.

The Gators improved to 3-0-0 on the Neuse Six 2A Conference boys’ soccer scene Thursday evening with a 3-0 conquest of county rival Goldsboro High in “The Swamp.”

“Happy for the result,” SC head coach Miguel Torres said. “We have started conference [play] off with excellent results, so we are trying to keep the momentum moving forward.

“We take conference [schedule] one game at a time and will enjoy tonight.”

Junior Gustabo Vargas Fajardo and sophomore Yonatan Zamora tallied one goal apiece. Jeheili Velasquez dished out an assist.

The Gators also benefited from an “own” goal.

Goalie Edgar Avila earned the shutout between the pipes for Spring Creek, which climbed to 7-7-2 overall this season. The Gators’ defense has not allowed a goal against Neuse Six opposition this season and posted six clean sheets (shutouts).

Spring Creek entertains Beddingfield next Tuesday, while Goldsboro (1-3-1 overall, 1-2-1 Neuse Six) visits county rival Eastern Wayne the same evening.

Tigers trip up Hawks

LA GRANGE — James Kenan remained unbeaten on the East Central 2A boys’ soccer scene wth a 3-1 conquest of North Lenoir on Thursday evening.

“Honestly, I don’t think we played that well at all,” said Tigers head coach Mitchell Quinn. “Yes, we won … but our shots were off tremendously. Missed a PK at the beginning of the match and the shots really didn’t get any better. Moved the ball well at times, but we need to be more consistent, especially finishing.

“I was hoping to have a really good match so we could be on somewhat of an ‘adrenaline high’ going into next week. We will have to wait and see what happens.”

Kebert David, Lincoln Meza and Peter Omega each scored for the Tigers.

Maddox Smith provided the Hawks’ lone goal, while teammate Evan Smith recorded seven saves between the pipes.

James Kenan (8-2-0 overall, 4-0-0 ECC) travels to county rival Wallace-Rose Hill on Monday. North Lenior dipped to 6-8-0 overall, including a 2-3-0 worksheet against league opposition this season.

SSS defeats Southern Wayne

DUDLEY — Smithfield-Selma turned back Southern Wayne 25-17, 25-16, 23-25, 25-23 in their Quad County 3A volleyball encounter Thursday afternoon.

Before the contest began, Saints head coach Hannah Walker recognized senior setter Taylor Lee for reaching 1,000 assists in her career. Lee received a game ball to mark her achievement.

Lee handed out 19 assists against the Spartans and collected seven digs defensively. Jy’Asha Cousins missed a double-double with 11 kills and seven solo blocks.

Mylee Wiggs registered a team-leading 18 digs, served two aces and cranked out six kills. Jurnae Ammons had four blocks and two kills, while Alysa Craft picked up eight digs.

Morgan Brimberry delivered two aces, two kills and five digs. Libero Jayce Hargrove logged 15 digs.

Southern Wayne (3-16 overall, 1-11 QCC) returns home next Monday for a non-conference match against Goldsboro. The Saints will celebrate senior day Tuesday at home against Wilson Fike.

Princeton sweeps Gators

SEVEN SPRINGS — Princeton clinched a share of the Neuse Six 2A regular-season volleyball crown Thursday evening with a 25-10, 25-17, 25-11 triumph over Spring Creek.

It was the final regular-season home game for two Gators – seniors Sarah Kirby and Heather Alexander.

Caroline Waller paced the Bulldogs with nine kills and seven aces. Sadey Butts served seven aces, while Addison Taylor passed out 21 assists.

The Bulldogs had 26 kills and 21 aces as a team.

Spring Creek (4-15 overall, 1-7 Neuse Six) conclude regular-season play with two road games next week. The Gators visit Goldsboro on Tuesday and are the guests of Beddingfield next Thursday.

You may reach sports writer Rudy Coggins at prepswriter2@gmail.com or call/text 919-709-9257.