RMHS tops Southern Nash on Senior Night

ROCKY MOUNT - Senior night Monday at Gryphon Field was highlighted by a complete team effort, two hat tricks and a 7-3 Big East boys soccer victory over Southern Nash. Seniors recognized were Justin Marsigli, Justin Hartney, Tim Bishop, Trevor Smith and Brandon Russ.

It did not take long for the Gryphons to set the tone and the pace of match. 

Junior Andrew Morales took advantage of a one-on-one opportunity just six minutes into the game, scoring the first of his three goals. The Gryphons wasted little time to put a second goal on the board when junior Matt Williams took advantage of an assist from Marsigli and placed a shot in the net just three minutes later.

Rocky Mount (15-2-2, 7-1 Big East) continued to play possession ball and challenge the Firebirds' defense.

Southern Nash's defense pushed forward, however, leaving the Gryphons offsides 11 times and thwarting several scoring opportunities. Marsigli was able to put a third goal in the net from a beautiful long ball played through the Firebirds' defense from Christain Grant. 

As the Gryphons continued to take shots, Morales was able to strike again with 13:12 remaining.

He scored on a shot from just outside the penalty box. Again, Williams followed with his second goal just one minute later, scoring from a Marsigli pass.  This finished out the Gryphon scoring for the first half giving Rocky Mount a five to zero lead going into halftime.

RMHS head coach Andrew Nick made substitutions in the second half giving the entire Gryphon team playing time. 

The Firebirds returned to the pitch with great hustle and a determination to score. The Gryphons had a brief lapse in focus and it was an opportunity that the Firebirds were able to capitalize on. 

Julio Roman was able to connect with Miguel Salazar, who placed a shot just outside of keeper Drew Thompson's reach to put the Firebirds on the board at 20:51 mark. Salazar was able to score again at the 17:12 mark when a Gryphon was called for a foul inside the 18 - giving Southern Nash a penalty kick. 

Rocky Mount, however, was again able to pressure the Firebird defense with Morales and Williams scoring their third goals of the match - giving both juniors a hat trick. 

Williams struck first at the 12:28 remaining mark, booting a pass from Morales into the net past the Firebirds' keeper Manny Rodriguez. Morales followed four minutes later, scoring the final Rocky Mount goal off a well-placed pass from Matt Boudreau. 

Adam Zuniga was able to score once more for the Firebirds placing a well played ball from Lawrence Sandifer into the net just minutes before time expired..

Rocky Mount finished with 19 shots-on-goal, while Southern Nash was able to get off 12 shots.

Gryphon goal keepers Drew Gorham and Drew Thompson combined for six saves. Rodriguez had 10 for Southern.