Prep soccer: Cougars, Blue Comets start strong in state playoffs

Southwestern Randolph’s bid to return to the finals of the state playoffs in boys’ soccer got off to a rousing start last week.

After a first-round bye, the Cougars overwhelmed No. 17 seed Burlington Cummings 11-2 in the Class 4A second round in the East Region. Fernando Hernandez scored three goals and Yael Rebollar-Ortiz posted two goals and two assists.

That sets up Southwestern Randolph to meet eighth-seeded Jordan-Matthews on Monday in the third round. They’re the top two teams in Four Rivers Conference, with the winner advancing to a fourth-round game Thursday.

Cummings reached the second round by defeating No. 16 seed Reidsville 3-1.

** Ninth-seeded Randleman fell by 4-0 at Jordan-Matthews in the second round. The Tigers finished with a 16-7-3 record.

Randleman opened the playoffs by knocking out No. 24 seed Uwharrie Charter Academy, scoring five first-half goals in a 7-1 outcome. Aidan Almond scored for UCA (1-13).

Class 3A

In the East Region, seventh-seeded Trinity (10-8-3) had a bye and then stopped No. 10 seed Spring Creek 3-1. Spring Creek had advanced by defeating No. 23 seed South Lenoir 4-0.

The Bulldogs’ next assignment is Monday at second-seeded Wallace-Rose Hill.

** No. 12 seed Providence Grove opened at home by defeating No. 21 seed Goldsboro 3-0. Then the Patriots (11-7-6) were finished with a 2-0 loss at fifth-seeded Wake Prep.

Against Goldsboro, Kevin Baustista, Bryan Carbajal and Seth Johnson scored the goals.

** No. 18 seed Eastern Randolph (7-12-3) won 4-0 at No. 15 seed Northeastern in the first round before a 6-1 setback at Wallace-Rose Hill last Thursday.

** Wheatmore’s No. 20 seed in the West Region meant a game at No. 13 Hendersonville, which won 8-1 despite Grayson Carter’s goal. The Warriors finished with a 9-12 record.

Class 6A

No. 10 seed Asheboro won twice last week in the West Region, beginning with a 6-0 home conquering of No. 23 seed St. Stephens as Henry Martinez Cruz scored two goals and Ozmar Martinez provided one goal and two assists.

Then the Blue Comets knocked off seventh-seeded Kernersville Glenn 5-4 in overtime Thursday on Martinez Cruz’s deposit off a rebound. Martinez had three goals and Carlos Gonzalez had the other goal for Asheboro.

Next for the Blue Comets is a third-round game Monday at Charlotte Catholic.