RICHMOND COUNTY — This week kicked off the Richmond County Schools’ middle spring sports season, seeing several soccer programs in action.
Ellerbe, Rockingham split in opener
The Ellerbe Middle School boys’ and girls’ soccer teams took to the pitch twice in two days, as both programs look to build off Southeastern Middle School Athletic Conference championship runner-up finishes last season.
Opening their season at Rockingham Middle School on Tuesday, the site of the defending boys’ and girls’ conference champions, Ellerbe split with the Rockets and Lady Rockets. In the boys’ game, the Wildcats outlasted Rockingham 2-1.
Scoring in the win for Ellerbe were eighth graders Kevin Cortes and Sam Thompson. Notching the lone goal for coach Brendan Snell’s team was eighth grader Giovanni Armenta.
The Lady Rockets took care of the Lady Wildcats in a 6-1 decision. Wendy Lopez Cruz found the back of the net for Ellerbe, while Allie Rodgers and Karley Simmons each netted two goals for Rockingham.
Also scoring in the five-goal victory were Gabby Lutz and Hanna Smith. Both Rockingham teams sit at 1-0 on the year and will play again on Tuesday.
Ellerbe soccer sweeps Cordova in close games
Back in action on Wednesday at in-county rival Cordova Middle School, both of Ellerbe’s teams earned road wins.
To start, head coach Derek Anderson’s Lady Wildcats defeated the Lady Cavaliers 3-1. Eighth grader Melissa Morales scored two goals, while Lopez Cruz recorded her second goal in as many games. Putting Cordova’s tally on the board was Mikkah Jeffery.
In the 16th minute, Morales scored her first goal on a 25-yard direct kick that sailed over the hands of goalkeeper Erin Fields. A Lady Cavs penalty kick with under five minutes left in the first half scooted left of the frame.
Lopez Cruz converted on a second chance opportunity in the goalie box in the 36th minute to put Ellerbe up two goals. Jeffery responded with a goal in the 40th minute to cut the deficit in half.
Morales iced the game for Ellerbe with a breakaway goal in the 53rd minute, collecting a rebound to put it past Fields. The Lady Wildcats improved to 1-1 on the season.
Following the girls’ game, the Wildcats and head coach Jimmy Chavez used the feet of Cortes and Thompson to earn a 2-1 victory. Cortes scored the game’s first goal on a laser in the 25th minute, the only goal of the first half.
Ten minutes into the second half, Thompson snuck around to the back post and tapped a pass into a wide-open net to extend Ellerbe’s lead. Cordova’s Felix Guinn made it interesting with a goal inside the box in the 53rd minute.
Ellerbe held on and now sits at 2-0 on the season and will return to action on Monday at home against Spring Hill Middle School.
Contributing to this report were Allen Adeimy, Linzy Hull and Brendan Snell. To report middle school scores, email sports editor Kyle Pillar at kpillar@richmondobserver.com.
