ELLERBE — Over the past couple of seasons, the boys’ and girls’ soccer programs at Ellerbe Middle School have been the best athletic teams on campus.
And both are off to a solid start this spring following Tuesday’s action, the second game of the season.
Lady Wildcats begin season 2-0
Last Thursday in the season opener, Derek Anderson’s Lady Wildcats avenged a second-round postseason loss from 2018 against the Hamlet Middle School Lady Red Rams. The game went to penalty kicks following a 1-1 tie at the end of regulation, and three Lady Wildcats scored in the shootout.
The in-county rivalry saw Ellerbe down two starters, and it was sixth-grader Ava Thompson who scored the lone goal ahead of the penalty kicks.
In the shoutout, it was Zonia Contreras, Rebeca Avalos and Layla Hayden who punched the ball into the back of the net for the Lady Wildcats. Ellerbe goalkeeper Chloe Nunn managed to keep Hamlet out of the net to secure the win.
New this season to the Southeastern Middle School Athletic Conference is the use of the shootout. Games that end in a regulation tie will immediately go to penalty kicks, per Ellerbe athletic director Allen Adeimy.
Ellerbe hosted West Hoke Middle School on Tuesday, this time a 7-1 blowout of the Lady Tigers. Eighth grader Nyla Stroman recorded her first hat trick of the season with three goals, while teammate Melissa Morales notched two goals of her own.
Also scoring a goal apiece for Ellerbe were Layla Hayden and Adena Gibson. The Lady Wildcats will have the rest of the week off before hosting Rockingham Middle School next Tuesday, March 19, at 4 p.m.
Ellerbe boys rebound with win over West Hoke
In last week’s season opener against Hamlet, Jimmy Chavez’s Wildcats were blanked 2-0. Last season, the Wildcats missed out on the playoffs, and are trying to make a return this season.
They got the ball moving in the right direction Tuesday at home against West Hoke, returning the shutout and winning 2-0. Scoring for Ellerbe were Juan Ramirez and Yair Aquino.
Now 1-1 on the season, Ellerbe will have a big test against the Rockingham Rockets next Tuesday. The game is scheduled for a 5 p.m. start in Ellerbe.
Game information provided by Allen Adeimy.
