Spring Creek’s Axel Hernandez (27) tries to keep the ball away from a Princeton defender during a recent game. The Gators open the state 2A soccer playoffs at home Saturday against Roanoke Rapids. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
SEVEN SPRINGS — Nearly three months ago, Spring Creek logged a clean sheet (shutout) against Roanoke Rapids in “The Swamp.”
They meet again Saturday.
The eighth-seeded Gators and 25th-seeded Yellow Jackets square off in round one of the NC High School Athletic Association Class 2A boys’ soccer playoffs.
Kickoff is 6:30 p.m.
Meanwhile, East Central 2A tri-champion James Kenan is also at home Saturday. The 13th-seeded Tigers welcome 20th-seeded Raleigh Charter to Bill Taylor Field in Warsaw.
Kickoff is 7 p.m.
One year ago, the Gators (14-8-2 overall) endured an opening-round upset loss against North Lenoir. That disheartening, season-ending result provided a lasting sting they hope doesn’t repeat itself.
“The challenge of playing a team that you played in August is I expect them to make changes now that they be in form, but I expect us to come out hard,” SC head coach Miguel Torres said. “We have home-field support and that is extremely important in state playoffs. I have several players with playoff experience and we take it one game at a time.
“It’s a whole new season … about all surviving.”
Spring Creek has outscored the opposition 51-31 this season and its defense has logged 11 shutouts. Senior goalie Edgar Avila Anguiano has filed a sparkling 1.29 goals-against-average between the pipes.
Senior Homar Lopez Castro is the Gators’ team leader in goals (8), assists (8) and points (24). Over the past two weeks, Erix Sosa Rodriguez has emerged as an offensive threat. He’s filed seven goals, two assists and 16 points on his worksheet.
Jeheili Velasquez Sanchez is next with 14 points (six goals, two assists). Daniel Lopez Morales and Emanuel Rangel have recorded four goals and two assists apiece.
The Gators are 5-4 in one-goal outcomes.
Roanoke Rapids (9-10-0) finished fifth in the Big East 2A-3A Conference. Senior Balmoris Gonzalez leads the Yellow Jackets with 22 goals, eight assists and 52 points.
James Kenan hasn’t missed the postseason since 2000.
One year ago, the Tigers (14-4-1) dropped an opening-round loss to St. Paul’s. The defeat came on the heels of an eastern semifinal-round appearance in 2022.
They’re led by nine seniors, including leading scorer Peter Omega. He’s turned in multi-goal outings this season and has been heavily marked by the opposition.
His presence allows his teammates to move into open spaces and create attacks on goal. Kenan has outscored its opponents 83-17 and recorded 10 shutouts.
The Tigers are 5-0-1 in their last six outings.
Raleigh Charter (10-8-0) ended up third in the Super Six 1A-2A Conference. Junior Dylan Henson and sophomore Nathan Yuan lead the Phoenix with eight and seven goals, respectively.
ECC tri-champions Wallace-Rose Hill (19-3-2) and East Duplin (14-6-1) drew the Nos. 2 and 14 seeds, respectively.
Clinton is the east’s No. 1 seed.
You may reach Rudy Coggins at prepswriter2@gmail.com or call/text at 919-709-9257.
