The Rocky Mount High defenders dropped back and started to relax. The forwards lobbed the ball to each other up and down the pitch. Coach Patrick Sensiba moved from the sideline to the bench and leaned back against a mess of blue plastic.

The lead appeared to be safe. The match and, more important, a playoffs win for the Gryphons appeared to be in hand.

And then the Western Alamance Warriors scored. And then they scored again. And then the outcome of the match did not appear anywhere near as certain.

Yes, the Rocky Mount girls' soccer team picked up a 4-3 home win Wednesday afternoon over Western Alamance in the first round of the NCHSAA 3-A state playoffs. But this was no walk in the park or, for that matter, on the pitch.

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