AREA ROUNDUP: Chargers nip Falcons, 1-0

RALEIGH — After a pair of back-to-back lean years, at least by Wilson Christian boys soccer standards, the Chargers are off to a steady start to the 2024 season with a pair of 1-0 victories.

The second one came Friday at Friendship Christian three days after the same result Tuesday at Raleigh Christian.

Senior Gabe Collins, who had the goal Tuesday, had the honors again Friday when he took a pass from freshman Brady Tant, split a pair of defenders and put the ball on frame.

It was one of eight shots on goal for the Chargers while junior goalkeeper David Wall stopped all three Falcons shots.

“He’s stronger this year than he’s ever been,” Chargers head coach Don Samson said.

Samson also credited the play of the back line with senior Cooper Robbins in the middle alongside freshman Walker Green with junior Chris Lewis and sophomore Colton Bridgers on the outside.

“They were a good team, they were no slouch, but we just never really let them build and develop anything around the goal,” Samson said.

The Chargers go into North Carolina Christian School Association 2-A East Region play Tuesday at home against Southside Christian of Clayton.

“After a rough year last year, we’re doing a few things more intentionally to be around the ball and it’s paying off,” Samson said. “So, I’m pleased. We’re not perfect with what we’re doing yet and, you know, we missed some opportunities that I think later on in the year we’ll find. But truthfully, I am, I’m just very pleased.”

Coolbaugh’s 5 goals spark Knights

NEW BERN — Junior Landyn Coolbaugh ripped a career-high five goals as his Greenfield School boys soccer team coasted to a 9-0 mercy rule-shortened victory Friday evening at The Epiphany School.

Coolbaugh, who had a career-high 12 goals last season, was joined by four others in scoring as the 2-A Knights improved to 3-1 overall in winning their 2-A/3-A Coastal Plain Independents Conference opener. The Falcons dipped to 0-4 overall and 0-2 in CPIC games.

Sophomore Redden Powell had a goal and an assist for Greenfield while freshman John Dean, senior Simon Quinn and senior Max Karia each netted a goal. Freshman Addison Wall, junior Cooke Rhodes and sophomore Grayson Coulter each tallied an assist.

Junior goalkeeper Kel Winstead had two saves in the shutout.

The Knights will host DASH home school team on Monday evening.

GIRLS TENNIS

Knights bow 9-0 at Epiphany

NEW BERN — Life in the NCISAA 2-A ranks continued to be a rough-and-tumble affair for the Greenfield girls tennis team, which took its third 9-0 loss of the week Friday at The Epiphany School.

The Knights, who won their first two matches, were playing their 2-A/3-A Coastal Plain Independents Conference debut while Epiphany exited 3-0 overall.

“We have a long ways to go with our program,” said Knights assistant coach Robert Cunningham, “we have seen where we want to be after facing some of these higher level schools, we look forward to working hard and elevating Greenfield tennis.”

The Knights will visit Parrott Academy in another CPIC match Tuesday in Kinston.

EPIPHANY 9, GREENFIELD 0

Abi Rose (E) def. Mattie Metts 8-2; Reagan Murphy (E) def. Eliza Taylor 8-2; Anna Katherine Haidt (E) def. Louise Smith 8-2; Sloane White (E) def. Grace Gibson 8-1; Caysee Smith (E) def. Frances Ross 8-0; Elin White (E) def. Ella Barnes Boykin 8-0

Rose-Murphy (E) def. Metts-Taylor 8-1; Haidt-Hannah Van Dyke (E) def. Grace Bradley-Addison Watson 8-0; White-White (E) def. Smith-Anna Ramsey Watson 8-3.

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