Spring Creek’s Willie Lopez-Gonzalez (3) heads the ball away from a North Johnston defender during their Neuse Six 2A game in “The Swamp” on Wednesday.

Spring Creek’s Willie Lopez-Gonzalez (3) heads the ball away from a North Johnston defender during their Neuse Six 2A game in “The Swamp” on Wednesday.

SEVEN SPRINGS — A team that could have been deflated by a challenging non-conference schedule, Spring Creek has applied those lessons on the soccer pitch this season.

The shutouts keep on coming.

So do the victories.

The Gators turned in another stellar defensive effort during a 2-0 blanking of Neuse Six 2A nemesis North Johnston in “The Swamp” on Thursday evening.

SC notched its eighth shutout of the season.

Even more impressive, the Gators haven’t conceded a goal in 500 consecutive minutes — all against conference opposition.

“We worked on being organized and staying well connected,” Gators head coach Miguel Torres said. “Right now, we want to maintain that ‘zero’ we have in conference – keep that streak going as long as possible. We can win any game as long as we keep our net clear.

“The boys did an excellent job tonight.”

The back four of Jeheili Velasquez-Sanchez, Yonatan Gonzalez Morales, Yoimar Carias and transfer Uriel Sosa have strengthened their communication in the final defensive third.

They’ve provided a nearly impenetrable wall for met-minder Edgar Avila. The senior goalie notched eight saves between the pipes against the Panthers, including three during the opening eight minutes after halftime.

“I just told them to hold the first 10 minutes because I knew North Johnston was going to come out and not lay down,” Torres said. “That’s a credit to team because they’re a hard, tough team to beat. When we see them on the calendar, we know it’s going to be a fun game.”

“[Our defensive back] is a well-round seniority group that know what I want and know what I expect. They know how to maintain the connection and tightness as we defend there.”

The teams needed overtime to decide their previous outcome.

Not this time, however.

Just 58 seconds after kickoff, Marin Lopez-Perez converted a left-footed shot off a throw-in near the 18-yard box. The ball zipped past North Johnston’s keeper, who appeared to have the left post covered.

“It changes everything … changes the game plan, can we use that as a stepping stone and get another one?” Torres said. “I’d be happy with just one, but starting off the game like that was perfect.”

The Gators added goal No. 2 roughly 20 minutes later.

North Johnston committed a handball infraction just inches inside the penalty area. Velasquez-Sanchez easily converted the penalty kick and the Gators’ confidence increased tenfold.

The Panthers ramped up their intensity, too.

They controlled possession and constantly won second balls, which kept the Gators from developing any rhythm on the offensive side of the pitch.

Yet, North Johnston couldn’t convert.

“Tonight, we had to be clinical and I think we were,” Torres said. “It was a matter of just sticking to our identity and not trying to do anything new, especially when they came with the pressure. I thought we handled it well.”

Spring Creek (9-7-2 overall, 5-0-0 Neuse Six) travels to Eastern Wayne next Tuesday. North Johnston (3-12-3, 2-3-1) plays host to Wilson Beddingfield.

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