Spring Creek keeper Edgar Avila attempts to save a shot during a recent match. The Gators earned a 0-0 draw against East Central 2A champ Wallace-Rose Hill on Wednesday evening. (Rudy Coggins|mountolivetribune.com)
SEVEN SPRINGS — One night after enduring a disappointing defeat on its home pitch, Spring Creek gained some much-needed confidence Wednesday evening.
The Gators battled to a 0-0 draw against reigning East Central 2A champion Wallace-Rose Hill in “The Swamp.”
“[I’m] with the result, but most definitely not satisfied,” SC head coach Miguel Torres said. “I felt we could’ve come out with the win today, but credit Wallace – they are the current [East Central] conference champions, and they showed why tonight.
“We showed tremendous sacrifice on the defensive side. We defended as a unit and were able to get the result we wanted to get a positive result tonight.”
Goalie Edgar Avila logged his second clean sheet between the pipes for the Gators this season. Torres’ team is 3-1-1 during its last five meetings against the Bulldogs, who hold a 9-3-1 advantage in the series since 2013.
Spring Creek (2-6-2 overall) hits the road Sept. 18 for a contest at Hobbton, the state 1A runner-up last season. Another East Central 2A powerhouse, James Kenan invades “The Swamp” the following evening.
Rebels XC starts strong
SMITHFIELD — North Duplin turned in its most-dominating performance of the young cross country season Tuesday afternoon.
Four Rebels finished among the top five to help claim the boys’ team portion a Carolina 1A Conference meet hosted by Neuse Charter at the Smithfield Recreation Athletic Center.
“[Am] very pleased with the team,” North Duplin head coach Kody Kennedy said. “[Individual] times continue to improve each week. The boys’ team is in great shape to compete for a conference title. The girls’ team continues to improve.
“[It’s a] great group of kids. Overall, we are a young team and there’s lot of potential for improvement moving forward.”
Reigning conference individual champion and senior Luis Avilez-Gonzalez ran the 5k (3.12-mile course) in 19 minutes, 35 seconds. Sophomore teammates Jerrson Lopez (19:45) and Jair Quintana (20:23) placed second and third, respectively.
Sophomore Lucas Gregory captured fifth in 20:55.
Senior Sam Carr ended up 12th in 25:51. His effort helped the Rebels tally a season-low 21 points.
Neuse Charter took second with 43, followed by Rosewood with 68. Union, Hobbton and Lakewood also participated, but didn’t have enough runners to post a team score.
On the girls’ side, the trio of Gabriella Zamudio (28:59), Madeline Kimes (29:33) and Abby Rose (30:02) each finished among the top 15.
Jazmine Manzanares ended up 18th in 31:41, while teammate Sasha Arguijo crossed the line 20th in 32:41. Her time capped the Rebels’ five-runner team score 77 — fourth among the six competing schools.
Neuse Charter’s Bella Strickland won the meet in 23:25. Hobbton senior Andrea Sada-Romero (24:15) and Rosewood’s Dylan Jinks (24:42) ended up second and third, respectively.
Hobbton claimed the team win with 28 points.
You may reach sports writer Rudy Coggins at prepswriter2@gmail.com or call/text 919-709-9257.
