Southern Wayne goalie Jefferson Morales (orange jersey) makes a two-handed save while surrounded by teammates Geovanni Saulmeron (13) and Gerardo Sauno (3), and North Lenoir’s tandem of Beni Alejo (4) and Mason Sasser (6) during second-half play Monday evening. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
DUDLEY — Caught by unexpected offseason issues that affected Southern Wayne’s returning starter list has forced newcomers to step into key roles on the soccer pitch.
Head coach Luis Ramirez is pleased so far.
The Saints unpeeled another layer back on their possible identity as a team with a 4-2, non-conference conquest of North Lenoir on Monday afternoon.
“We’ve got a lot of new faces … kind of getting used to themselves, getting a little more comfortable [and] talking [on the field] as opposed to what we were doing the last few games,” Ramirez said.
Southern Wayne seized the upper hand early.
Richard Gabriel found himself one-on-one against the Hawks’ Carlos Avilla inside the 18-yard box. NL goalie Evan Smith ventured too far off his line, which enticed Gabriel to fire toward an open net.
Smith stabbed at the ball with his right boot, but helplessly watched it roll past him and into the net.
The sixth-minute strike put the Saints up 1-0.
North Lenoir’s Chris Romero notched the equalizer in the 13th minute. His shot slipped between the outstretched gloves of SW goalie Jefferson Morales and the left post.
Over the next 20 minutes, the former Eastern Carolina 3A Conference rivals created chances on their respective ends of the field. Morales stopped three shots during that stretch.
Southern Wayne finally connected in the 32nd minute.
Maxmiliano Vera ripped a shot that deflected off a North Lenoir defender inside the 6-yard box. Smith dove as the ball bounced toward the back post and into the net.
“[The goal] definitely motivated us,” Ramirez said. “That one goal they got kind of helped us get composed, realize what happens when you don’t clean those silly mistakes [defensively] up.”
Jesus Castillo and Ricky Gomez each connected on an unassisted goal nearly six minutes apart in the second half.
North Lenoir pulled to within 4-2 on Richard Prado’s goal in the 60th minute. Prado cleaned up after Morales had made a two-handed stab at a direct shot on net.
The Hawks, who gained a man advantage due to a red card, continued to pressure the Saints’ defense. NL attempted seven corner kicks, which Southern Wayne defended well and managed to clear toward midfield.
Morales wound up with seven second-half saves and 11 total for the contest.
“We changed our scheme up a little bit,” Ramirez said. “There’s two styles we’re going with and we’re testing which one works [better] for us. The second half gave us results, but it’s not a style we’re officially going to go with.
“We’re going to switch up formations and make sure everyone is good. Our main course is to keep the defense intact, keep those guys fresh and good.”
Southern Wayne (1-1-0 overall) picked up its seventh consecutive decision over North Lenoir, and leads the series 7-3-0 since 2011.
The Saints return to action Thursday at county rival Spring Creek. Kickoff is 6:30 p.m. in “The Swamp.”
You may reach sports writer Rudy Coggins at prepswriter2@gmail.com or call/text 919-709-9257.
