North Duplin’s Matute Dariana, No. 4, steps in to challenge a Union attacker during the first half. (Robert Taylor|mountolivetribune.com)
North Duplin’s girls soccer team delivered a dominant performance Thursday evening, blanking Union High School 3-0 at home. The Rebels executed a complete game on both ends of the field, fueled by aggressive defense, cohesive midfield play, and timely scoring that steadily widened the gap.
From the outset, North Duplin seized control of the tempo. Junior midfielder Tristen Stemmler led the charge, playing with noticeable intensity and disrupting Union’s early rhythm. She tested Union’s goalkeeper with a shot in the second minute, setting the tone for a night of persistent pressure.
Moments later, freshman defender Abigail Rose cleared the ball decisively as Union mounted a brief run toward the box. Union’s striker broke free for a moment, but freshman goalkeeper Natalie Carreon was quick off her line, scooping up the loose ball to prevent an early chance.
Stemmler continued to drive the midfield, combining well with sophomore Brittney Huerta and junior Sasha Arguijo. Their short passes and smart positioning allowed North Duplin to control possession. Arguijo went on a short run toward goal before Union’s back line cleared, but the Rebels were far from finished.
Junior Jazmine Manzanares made her presence felt on both ends, winning balls in midfield and transitioning quickly into attack. Defenders Zulema Hervert, Scarlett Dyer, and sophomore Matute Dariana were pivotal in keeping Union out of scoring positions, frequently clearing long balls and marking tightly.
Around the 15-minute mark, Union began to show signs of life with a run toward goal, but Rose again reacted quickly, clearing the ball out of bounds. Stemmler followed with a strong foot-to-foot challenge, maintaining possession and setting up Arguijo for another probing run.
Manzanares, Paloma Hernandez, Stemmler, and freshman Carrly Strickland connected on a sequence near the goal, nearly breaking through before Union regrouped. On the other end, Hervert and Dyer held the line, winning headers and staying composed under pressure.
At the 23rd minute, Stemmler made a breakaway run but was tripped just outside the penalty area. Strickland stepped up for the free kick and struck it cleanly—but the shot ricocheted off the crossbar, just inches from the first goal.
Two minutes later, North Duplin broke through. After sustained pressure and a scramble near the goalmouth, Manzanares capitalized on a loose ball and tucked it past the keeper at the 23:25 mark, giving the Rebels a 1-0 lead.
Union attempted a quick reply, but Jisel Hernandez, Huerta, and Arguijo tightened control in the midfield. North Duplin’s second goal came at 5:18, after Arguijo threaded a pass through to Stemmler, who broke past a defender and finished cleanly into the bottom corner.
Union mounted their best chance at 4:12, but the shot flew wide of the right post. Stemmler answered with a sharp attempt of her own at 2:41, but Union’s keeper was able to collect it.
Halftime arrived with North Duplin in full command, leading 2-0.
The Rebels wasted little time adding to their lead in the second half. Just minutes in, freshman Carrly Strickland found space on the left wing and finished a well-placed shot into the far corner, pushing the lead to 3-0.
North Duplin’s midfield continued to click, with Roselin Orozco and Strickland working as a duo to intercept Union’s advances and distribute the ball forward. Freshman Zulema Hervert sent a lofted pass to Strickland, who burst upfield in another threatening run.
Orozco executed precise throw-ins throughout the half, helping the Rebels sustain pressure. At 25:30, Hernandez unleashed a powerful shot from distance that narrowly missed the upper post.
Despite trailing, Union increased its urgency and began applying more pressure during the final 20 minutes. Their attackers pushed higher, testing the North Duplin backline with short runs and quick passes. Yet Hervert, Dyer, and Dariana responded with calm clearances and well-timed challenges.
Junior Ivet Campos entered the match and brought added intensity, working tactically with Arguijo and Strickland. A strong combination play between Hervert and Strickland led to a short run from Arguijo, but the final shot was deflected wide.
Freshman Camden Cox delivered a well-placed throw-in that created another opportunity. Around the 10:50 mark, Dyer set up Hernandez for a shot that again just missed. Union pressed forward, managing a few dangerous looks, including an attempt at 6:45, but each was stopped or forced wide.
Strickland then found Campos with a pinpoint pass, and the junior fired a hard shot on target. Though it was saved, the effort symbolized North Duplin’s relentless attack. At 1:26, Union connected a series of crisp passes and fired their best shot of the half, but Carreon stood firm once again, preserving her shutout.
As the final whistle sounded, North Duplin celebrated a complete team win—one defined by discipline, sharp transitions, and efficient execution in key moments.
