Closer to Big East crown

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By Michael Lindsay
Wilson Times

ROCKY MOUNT - The Hunt boys soccer team gained the first-half advantage, despite playing poorly, and finished off host Rocky Mount with a strong second half Saturday to beat the Gryphons 4-2.

With the win, the Warriors moved two games ahead of Rocky Mount with three games to play in the 3-A Big East Conference. A win today at home against Nash Central would clinch at least a share of the regular-season championship for Hunt.

After each team scored in the opening 20 minutes, the Warriors (14-1-1, 7-0), ranked No. 5 in the N.C. coaches association 3-A poll, scored three straight goals to lead 3-1 at halftime and 4-1 less than early in the second half.

Senior forwards Zach Houchins and Eli Inscoe made headlong rushes into the box, just squeezing shots past goalkeeper Drew Gorham, to break the 1-1 tie in the final eight minutes of the first half.

"We didn't play as best as we could - some of the passes weren't exactly on point," said Inscoe, who now has 15 goals. "But toward the end of the first half, we started picking it up, especially after they tied it up. We had our heads in the game and everything."

The Warriors hadn't played in more than a week because of last week's rain. So it took them much of the first half to start clicking again. Fortunately, by then, they'd scored several times and begun to pull away.

Then, Hunt took almost complete control in the second half, particularly in the opening 20 minutes. Connecting well up top, it controlled the ball well and pressured Rocky Mount's defense.

Defensively, the Warriors limited the 11th-ranked Gryphons (15-2-2, 6-2) to mid-range looks. And when Rocky Mount did create chances, Hunt goalie Will Jacobs came through with eight saves.

"Second half, I really thought we took control, especially the first 20 minutes," Dorough said. "The first 20-25 minutes, they really didn't come down in our half - and I like that. That's always fun.

"At halftime, I said, 'Just calm down. I know y'all haven't played in a while, but start thinking and use your heads.' And they did."

Freshman forward Eric O'Brian highlighted the early pressure with a goal less than nine minutes in for a 4-1 Warriors lead, as Inscoe forced a turnover deep in Rocky Mount territory and O'Brian followed for the easy goal.

"We know what we've got to do. So when we get an look open look on goal, we've got to take it," Inscoe said. "We were able to finish up a couple that hit off the goalie. Their goalie did great, but we were able to capitalize."

Senior forward Aaron White scored his team-leading 24th goal less than eight minutes into the game to give Hunt, which finished with a 21-15 shot advantage, the early lead.

Henry Orellana also had two assists, including one on Inscoe's eventual game-winner with 1 ½ minutes left in the half. Sam Hoerferkamp had the assist on Houchins' goal with eight minutes left.

Rocky Mount's Justin Marsigli scored on a chippy goal with 23 ½ minutes left in the first half and added a penalty kick with 20 minutes left in the second. Gorham made 13 saves - several at close range - for the Gryphons in goal.