NC HIGH SCHOOL NEWS 9/02/08

Gray Stone season opens with road win at Mount Pleasant
The Stanley News and Press 8/25/08

Gray Stone improves to 2-0 over Mt. Pleasant
The Stanley News and Press 8/27/08


Asheville High’s Hayden Clark, left, and Reynolds’ Eddie Darii jostle for position in Tuesday’s game at Asheville. john coutlakis

Rockets down Cougars in pouring rain Asheville Citizen-Times 8/27/08


Warriors fall to Northwood in soccer The Burlington Times News 8/24/08

Williams shades Warriors in soccer; Patriots, Eagles win The Burlington Times News 8/26/08


Eagles Varsity Soccer Team & New Bern Battle to a 0-0 Tie
The JV team won by a score of 2 to 1.The Island Gazette 8/27/08


Panther Creek midfielder Greg Gunther, (16} dribbles the ball as Holly Springs defender Josh Carmenate, (5) attempts to take the ball away on Wednesday night, August 20, 2008 at Panther Creek High School in Cary. Panther Creek defeated Holly Springs 5-3
Panther Creek soccer: Victory is a confidence builderThe Cary News 8/26/08

Northwood's Johnny Santiago scored two goals as the visiting Chargers defeated Western Alamance
Chapel Hill News 8/31/08


Dark Horses move to 2-2 on season in win over Hobbton
The Sampson Independent 8/28/08

CHS wins over West Bladen 3-1
The Sampson Independent 8/29/08


Knights whip Whiteville in soccer Bladen Journal 8/25/08

The East Bladen soccer team is rated No. 4 Bladen Journal 8/28/08


TRIBUNE/Eric Lusk * While Oscar Hernandez tends the Starmount net in the background, Ram defender Steven Hemric plays keep away from West Stokes' Tyler Vanmeter.
Rams surge past West StokesElkin Tribune 8/27/08


Tigers win, Bears lose and Jack Britt drops 3Fayettville Observer 8/27/08

C.B. Aycock dominates North Lenoir Goldsboro News Argus 8/26/08

Spring Creek rises Goldsboro News Argus 8/26/08

Horn gets first victory for Havelock soccer Havelock News 8/27/08

Prep roundupHendersonville Times News 8/28/08

John M. Setzler Jr.
Hickory's Adam Betzweiser battles for control of the ball while under pressure from St. Stephens' Daniel Cubbinson (5) and Addison Day (17) at Hickory High School on Monday.
Broome scores two goals in win Hickory Daily Record 8/26/08

John M. Setzler | Hickory Daily Record Photographer
FTF Alex Casari (left) attempts to steal the ball from HHS Blai Young.
Late goal propels Hickory by Tigers Hickory Daily Record 8/29/08

Soccer roundup Aug. 29Jacksonville Daily News 8/29/08

Pirates topple VikingsJacksonville Daily News 8/28/08


Wildcats fend off Sauras 5-3 in physical matchThe Stokes News 8/28/08

Titans, Patriots tie 3-3 McDowell News 8/25/08

Devils do it with defense Mooresville Tribune 8/27/08


West Carteret’s Walt Colbertson, center, tries to clear the ball past Croatan’s Gabe Moore as teammate Eric Laroque watches on. Moore helped to pace the Cougars, who pulled away from their rivals in the final 15 minutes of the game. (Evans Kistler photo)
Croatan nets 5-2 win over West Cateret News Times 8/29/08

Patton soccer loses conference opener to Bandys Morganton News Herald 8/26/08

Wayne Whaley | The News Herald
Patton High’s Vince Thao, No. 19, gains position as Draughn High's Sa Thao, No. 8, applies pressure during a soccer game at Draughn on Friday. The game ended 2-2.

Cat fight ends in tieMorganton News Herald 8/30/08

Falcons get off on right footRaleigh News & Observer 8/28/08

Boys' Soccer Preview: Teams like growth in youth rec programsRocky Mount Telegram 8/21/08

East soccer loses to Blue DevilsSalisbury Post 8/29/08

Carson lost to Lake Norman 2-1Salisbury Post 8/28/08

Streaking Wildcats soccer maintains winning waysStatesville Record & Landmark 8/29/08


Andrew Lopp, #20, scores his first high school goal during Ashe’s 12-0 victory over Alleghany on Monday evening. Lopp, just a freshman, represents one of three freshmen on varsity, all three of which scored on Monday.(Post Photo/Michael Graybeal)
Ashe soccer blanks Trojans 12-0Jefferson post 8/29/08


Freshman Warrior Mike Paye turns and shields the ball from a Millbrook defender.
Staff photo by Aaron Moody
Warriors battle with Cap-7 power
Eastern Wake News 8/26/08

CVAC Update 8/29/09

IT'S A CRUEL GAME

The amazing thing about the sport of soccer remains the fact that on any given day a team can beat virtually any other team. Other sports pay this alot of lip service, but it just isn't true. In football time of possession and total yards inevitably lead to victories. The same is true of basketball and baseball where looking at shot percentage and strikeouts you can tell who won a game. In soccer though, percentage of possession and shots on goal don't tell the story. It only takes one slip, one stab, one turn for a dominant team to lose a game. Say hello to Patton and Hibriten.

In Patton's conference opener they lost to Bandys by one goal. Following the loss Patton coach Keith Scott said, "We controlled the ball for at least 75% of the time tonight, outshot them 17 to 4 in the first half but could not finish our drives and they did..."

In Hibriten's 1-0 loss to Patton last night, Hibriten out shot Patton 15-7 and by all accounts had the lion's share of possession. Sound familiar?

The bad news for Hibriten and Patton is teh fact that these were conference games. The good news; it wasn't the play offs.

The rest of the CVAC

Hickory defeats Fred T. Foard 1-0 with a late goal to remain undefeated

Bandys defeats Challenger 1-0 with a goal from Matt Miller.

Bunker Hill and St. Stephens was rained out

CVAC Wrap Up 8/28/08

The best I can tell, the only scheduled CVAC game played last night was West Caldwell versus Bandys. West Caldwell, with two goals from Caleb Branch won 3-1. Martin Lopez had the other goal for West with a Melvin Yang assist. Bandys' lone goal came from a PK taken by Chris Mullis.

The Patton versus Hibriten game as well as Fred T Foard versus Hickory have both been rescheduled for tonight (8/28/08).

Non-conference match ups scheduled for 8/28/08 include:
Bandys @ Challenger
Freedom @ West Caldwell
North Lincoln @ Newton-Conover

CVAC UPDATE 8/26/08

Last night was the first night for conference play. Arguably the headliner game was #4(3A) ranked Fred T. Foard versus #12(2A) ranked Hibriten.
Hibriten won convincingly 3-1. Dago Lainez scored twice for the Panthers with Jules Picton adding a goal. The lone goal for Foard was scored by Kyle Luderbach from the spot. The PK was awarded when Hibriten was called for a handball as a shot was cleared off their line (DGSO)with about 15 minutes remaining in the game. Zach Stanfield did an excellent job man marking Luderbach denying him any chances in the run of play. Even a man down Hibriten continued to press. The results never really seemed in doubt with Picton scoring the opening goal in the second minute of the game.
The Panthers face Patton next tommorrow night (8/27/08).

Another important CVAC match up saw Hickory (#12 3A)hosting St. Stephens. It was a usual Hickory-Saint match up with the score knotted at one halfway through the second half. In the 67th minute the Red tornadoes got the game winner when Chase Crone crossed a pass to Tucker Broome who slotted it into the net. This was the same combination that scored Hickory's first goal in the 37th minute. St. Stephen's equalizer was scored on a thirty yard blast under the cross bar in the second half.
Hickory faces Foard Wednesday (8/27/08).

Other action saw Bandys defeat Patton 4-3. Ryan Eades scored two including the game winner. Patton fought back from a two goal deficit (Michael Young, Ryan Eades) with goals from Jonathon Morales and Adam Eldin to tie the game in the first half. In the 37th minute Matt Miller put Bandys up 3-2. Will Bodfish tied the game at 3 by finishing a PK for Patton only to have Eades hit the game winner in the 76th minute.
Bandys faces West Caldwell Wednesday (8/27/08).

West Caldwell opened its season with a 3-1 win over Maiden. Mondoza Yang, Tyler Ervin and Adam Clarke scored for the Warriors.
Maiden faces Newton_conover Wednesday (8/27/08).

The Bunker Hill, Newton-Conover game was rained out and will be played tonight (8/26/08).

NC Highschool News 8/25/2008

Rams win Invitational
- Roanoke-Chowan News Herald 8/18

Comets open season with win at S. Stanly
-The Stanley News and Press 8/21

North Stanly forward Zack Xiong and South Stanly defender Bradley Bice get ready to collide in the midfield during Wednesday’s match. Xiong scored three goals in the 6-1 win over the Rebel Bulls.


Watauga settles for 1-1 tie
-Watauga Democrat 8/18

Watauga’s Ben Robertson delivers a corner kick against Ashe County Monday night. Photo by Steve Behr

S. Alamance downs E. Randolph in soccer
-Burlington Times News 8/21

Williams edges out Asheboro, Southwest Guilford defeats Alamance
-Burlington Times News 8/22

Bobcats kickoff soccer season
- Cashiers Crossroads Chronicle 8/20

Tigers open 2-0, Red Wolves win two, Jags open big
- Chapel Hill News 8/20

Weddington, North Meck tie in soccer
- Charlotte Observer 8/22

Depth helps Hawks to victory in hot home opener
- Charlotte Observer 8/24

Dark Horse soccer team out kicks Whiteville 4-2
- Sampson Independent 8/19

Dark Horses fall to Eagles
- Sampson Independent 8/20

Goldsboro falls to Hobbton 10-0 in season opener
- Sampson Independent 8/21

Triton Opens Soccer Season With Win
- Dunn Daily Record 8/20

Wesy Johnston falls to Athens Drive
- Dunn Daily Record 8/21

Eagles start strong with win at Camden
- Daily Advance 8/19


Staff photo by Justin Falls
Northeastern's Chip Jennings (right) and Camden's Hunter Crook try to head the ball during the Eagles' 3-1 win at Camden Community Park, Monday.

Eagles rip the Scorpions
- Bladen Journal 8/21

Starmount soccer tops 4A
- Elkin Tribune 8/22


Gazette Cup team capsules
- Varsity nc 8/18

Without shutout, Ashbrook in danger of missing soccer Cup final
- Gaston Gazette 8/19 (pics)

Gazette Soccer Cup schedule/results through Tuesday
- Gaston Gazette 8/19

Lincolnton rolls in Gazette Cup opener
- varsity nc 8/19

Member of U.S. women's Olympic soccer team has ties to Gaston Day coach

- Gaston Gazette 8/20

IMAGES FROM ASHBROOK'S 1-0 WIN OVER SOUTH POINT IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH OF THE GAZETTE CUP SOCCER TOURNAMENT SATURDAY AUGUST 23, 2008

Ashbrook wins Gazette Cup
- Gaston Gazette/varsitync 8/24

Wayne Christian dominates the pitch
- Goldsboro News Argus 8/19

Young Eastern plays strong first half against Golden Demons
- Goldsboro News Argus 8/20

Golden Falcons turn back Greene Central
- Goldsboro News Argus 8/20

Rams rebound on pitch
- Goldsboro News Argus 8/21


Aycock shuts out Fike
- Goldsboro News Argus 8/21

Chargers fall to 0-2
- Goldsboro News Argus 8/21


Cougars start slow
- Goldsboro News Argus 8/21

Havelock bumps Eastern Wayne
- Goldsboro News Argus 8/21

North Lenoir tops South Lenoir
- Goldsboro News Argus 8/22

Duo helps Greyhounds tie Hickory
- Hickory Daily Record 8/21

Devilpups soccer looks to progress
- Jacksonville Daily News Varsity 8/19

Patriots win inaugural APA Soccer Cup by routing Greene Central
- Kinston Free Press 8/21

McDowell defeats Newton-Conover
- Marion News 8/21


Draughn High's Yeng Yang, No. 12, holds off East Burke High's Josh Sturgill, No. 13, on Monday night in their schools' first-ever soccer meeting. Draughn won the game 6-1.
Wayne Whaley (The News Herald)

Draughn bests East Burke, Freedom falls to Shelby
- Morganton News Herald 8/19


Draughn High's James Skidmoore, No. 1, drives through Freedom High's Alex Barthel, No. 23, on Tuesday night night in the first official soccer meeting between the two schools.
Wayne Whaley (The News Herald)
Pats, Draughn play OT, Freedom wins shootout, Shelby defeats East Burke

- Morganton News Herald 8/21

Draughn has Burke's best soccer showing
- Morganton News Herald 8/23

Soccer powers deadlock
- Raleigh News and Observer 8/23

Leaptrott helps Vikings blow past Warriors
- Statesville Record and Landmark 8/20

Devils open on the right foot
- Statesville Record and Landmark 8/21

Flores lights it up in Warriors win
- Statesville Record and Landmark 8/21

Monson's big game lifts Lions to victory
- Statesville Record and Landmark 8/21

Raiders roll despite disadvantage
- Statesville Record and Landmark 8/21


Parker Cromie plays keep-away from a foe.
Countdown begins as Wildcats notch win in season, NPC debut
- Statesville Record and Landmark 8/22

Mooresville soccer settles for tie
- Statesville Record and Landmark 8/22

Baggerly helps North pull away for win
- Statesville Record and Landmark 8/22

Wildcats jump ahead early for shutout win
- Statesville Record and Landmark 8/22

Cougar booters nip Rams
- Swansboro Tideland News 8/20


Richie Absher (front) flicks a header towards the goal while Honor Rognstad (#11 far) crashes the goal. Absher led the Huskies with one goal, and one assist during their 3-1 victory over Avery.(Post Photo/Michael Graybeal)
Ashe soccer ties Watauga, downs Avery
- Jefferson Post 8/22


For The Record schedule
- W-S Journal 8/24

The Hospital Ward

Here's what MLSNET is showing as our current injuries:

MF Ben Olsen
OUT - ankle surgery

DF Domenic Mediate
OUT - concussion

FW Francis Doe
OUT - foot infection

DF Gonzalo Peralta
QUESTIONABLE - hamstring

MF Marcelo Gallardo
PROBABLE - hernia surgery

Of course we need to add:

GK Zach Wells
OUT - sesamoiditis

MF Fred
OUT - hamstring

Let's go down the list;
Ben Olsen. I believe even the biggest optimist will be surprised to see him contributing on the field this season.

Domenic Mediate. He had a concussion, not the rest of this, we're all too familiar with how this may play out.

Frances Doe.Doe has been out with a serious toe infection, at the end of July this was described as 2-4 weeks out, so we should be getting close.

Gonzalo Peralta. After being pushed into service following his hernia surgery, Peralta "tweaked" his hamstring. According to a report in the DC Examiner United general manager Dave Kasper says he is 2-3 weeks away from returning. This would mean he will not be available for the Open Cup final.

Marcello Gallardo. Having trouble recovering from hernia surgery done the same time as Peralta's. Kasper says 2-3 more weeks before he returns. So he also won't be available for the USOC final.

Fred. Pulled hamstring. Out 3 -4 weeks. No USOC.

Zach Wells.Sesamoiditis Return unknown.

So let's play the blame game. Bad luck? International and League schedule? Training staff? Turf fields? Salary caps? The cost of a DP?
I'll take the easy way out and say a combination of all of the above.

I will emphatically say that you can't be looking at a schedule of a game every four days for two months, with the current salary cap, and expect to see quality soccer.

Hibriten vs Wilkes Central 8/18

Tight game with Wilkes Central getting more chances but Hibriten finishing one of their's. Hibriten showed great discipline maintaining their shape and remaining compact. Photos courtesy of N.M. Lewis.

NC High School News 8/18/2008

Vikings look to take bigger step on the pitchJacksonville Daily News 8/16

Cardinals soccer ready for another runJacksonville Daily News 8/16

Bruce Matlock
South Iredell keeper Carlos Solis makes a save during Tuesday's practice.
South Iredell soccer intent on conference title pushRecord & Landmark 8/13


SCOTT GOODWIN - BROUGHTON, SR. - Caps keeper helped 4-A champs post 15 shutouts during 28-1 season
Staff Photo By Corey Lowenstein.
High school preview: Boys SoccerNews & Observer 8/17


New Bern senior Will Spence-Craig competes in a game against E.A. Laney last season. The Bears finished 11-3 in the Coastal Conference. They kick off the 2008 regular season on Monday at Ashley High School.
Out-of-conference experience. New Bern loads schedule with Wilmington schools in preparation for ‘09.Sun Journal 8/15

Veteran midfield leads Havelock Rams into fall seasonSun Journal 8/15

Boys' High School Soccer PreviewCharlotte Observer 8/17

(08.15.2008)--(names cq'd l-r)--Marty Myslinski, 18, Joe Hughes, 17, and Parker Cromie, 17, are members of Lake Norman High School's soccer team, who has won 56 straight games, just nine off a new state record. Hughes is a returning starter and Cromie and Myslinski are scoring players. Photographed on Friday, August 15, 2008. (YALONDA M. JAMES)
38-year-old record to fall?
Lake Norman soccer team is 10 wins awayCharlotte Observer 8/17

The second Kick it for Cancer Preseason Jamboree is scheduled for Friday and Saturday at Panther Creek High School. Cary News 8/12

Green Hope vs Wakefield soccer game.
Staff photo by Tim Candon
Green Hope returns nine starters from last year's 20-win team
Cary News 8/12

Michael Nelson of Reynolds is
expected to be a leader as Reynolds High goes for the Northwestern 4-A Conference title. - JOHN COUTLAKIS

Nelson ready to lead Rockets to success
Asheville Citizen 8/15

NC High School Weekly Soccer News 8/11/08

Gladys to coach in all-star gameAsheville Citizen-Times

Kidd says new WHS field plan should be booted.Watauga Democrat 6/11
Clayton High names new soccer coach.Clayton News 7/30
Defense of title will prove tough for LNHS Record and Landmark, 8/10
East-West coaches named.W-S Journal, 8/09