RICHMOND COUNTY — Highlighting this week’s Middle School Sports Report was the Ellerbe Middle School girls’ soccer team remaining undefeated, while Hamlet and Rockingham middle schools competed in its annual soccer rivalry.
The Ellerbe boys’ soccer team also collected a conference win.
Lady Wildcats remain perfect
The Ellerbe girls’ soccer team’s magical season continued Friday when it improve to 7-0. Traveling to Sandy Grove Middle School, the Lady Wildcats squeezed out a 1-0 win over the Lady Panthers.
Due to looming storms, the game was cut down to two 20-minute halves. But a goal by eighth grader Jocelyn Mercado was enough for the win. Fellow eighth grader Chloe Nunn recorded the shutout in goal.
Head coach Derek Anderson’s team will look to stay atop the Southeastern Middle School Athletic Conference standings and add another win on Tuesday at Anson Middle School. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m.
Ellerbe boys also defeat Sandy Grove
Following the girls’ game, the Wildcats improved to 6-1 on the spring with a 3-1 win. Scoring first for Ellerbe was Henry Zapata, who was assisted by Jullian Cline.
The next goal came way of Cline, courtesy of an assist from teammate Daniel Jaimes. Juan Ramirez rounded out the win with a goal of his own.
The Wildcats currently have a half game lead over Hamlet and will look to maintain first place when they play Anson on Tuesday at 5 p.m.
Hamlet boys, girls sweep rival Rockingham
A couple days after the Rockingham baseball and softball teams swept Hamlet, the Red Ram and Lady Red Ram soccer teams returned the favor to even the rivalry.
The Red Rams edged the Rockets by a final score of 1-0. Head coach Earl Nicholson explained his team “controlled possession but could not put (the ball) in the back of the net.”
After a scoreless first half, a quick strike by Hamlet would prove to be the game-winner. Samuel Hawks made a cross to teammate Zay Hubbard, who beat Rockingham’s keeper to the ball to find the twine.
“I thought we really played well and my guys were aggressive to the ball,” Nicholson said. “But we have to do a better job of finishing on our opportunities.”
In the girls’ game, the Lady Red Rams won 2-1. Hamlet held a 2-0 lead at the end of regulation, and the Lady Rockets managed to score their only goal in extra time. No individual statistics were provided for the girls’ game from either school.
The Hamlet boys improved to 6-2, and the Lady Red Rams are 7-1. The Rockets and Lady Rockets both fell to 6-2.
No scores were reported for Cordova Middle School. To report scores, email sports editor Kyle Pillar at kpillar@richmondobserver.com. Information provided by Allen Adeimy and Earl Nicholson.
