WILSON — Mission complete.
Next stop, playoffs.
Spring Creek polished off an unbeaten Neuse Six 2A boys’ soccer campaign Thursday evening with a 3-0 triumph over Beddingfield.
The Gators (14-7-2 overall) claimed their fourth consecutive league title and 12th overall in program history. They logged a 10-0-0 worksheet against league opposition that included eight clean sheets (shutouts).
“It was our short-term goal as a team and we have accomplished our goal,” SC head coach Miguel Torres. “But, I believe the way we did it is what I’m proud of. We were very organized defensively against our conference opponents and we only allowed two goals. That’s the best part for me.”
SC accumulated a school-record 644 consecutive scoreless minutes before it conceded a second-half goal against Princeton on Oct. 17. Goldsboro tallied a first-half goal Tuesday.
Senior goalie Edgar Avila Anguiano ended regular-season play as the Neuse Six 2A leader with a 1.142 goals-against-average. He spearheaded a defense that recorded 11 shutouts.
Yonatan Zamora Perez, Daniel Aldana Ramirez and Erix Sosa Rodriguez supplied one goal apiece against Beddingfield. Rodriguez ranks fifth in the Neuse Six with seven goals.
Homar Lopez Castro and Anderson Sair Marcia each doled out one assist. Castro is the conference leader in assists and fourth in points scored.
Spring Creek struggled early in the season.
Torres’ team was 2-6-1 until a mid-September meeting against 2023 East Central 2A champ Wallace-Rose Hill. The teams battled to a 0-0 draw in Teachey.
The Gators dealt reigning eastern 1A regional champ Hobbton a 3-1 loss one week later. That road triumph re-ignited the team, which overcame a minor hiccup against Midway and finished 11-1-0 in its final 12 regular-season outings.
“We take not only our conference [schedule], but every game we approach with extreme seriousness and I notice because of the final scoreboard – teams are ready for us and they prepare for us, so we have to continue to get better for future [teams],” Torres said.
“Nothing is given to us.”
During its four-year stint in the Neuse Six, Spring Creek posted an astounding 39-1-0 record in regular-season play. They secured an automatic-qualifying postseason bid for the fourth straight year.
The NC High School Athletic Association playoffs kick off Nov. 9. Seeding and first-round pairings will be announced Nov. 7.
“I tell the boys season after season we don’t focus on rebuilding,” Torres said. “It’s always next man up … [the] same goal year after year, season after season. We want the conference championship.”
Is a “baker’s dozen (13)” next?
You may reach Rudy Coggins at prepswriter2@gmail.com or call/text 919-709-9257.