Southwestern Randolph reaches final week of postseason with chance at state title

Southwestern Randolph boys’ soccer teammates Fernando Hernandez, left, and Kevin Garcia react during a game last week in the state playoffs. (PJ Ward-Brown / Randolph Record)

ASHEBORO — Southwestern Randolph is one victory away from returning to the state finals in boys’ soccer.

Southwestern Randolph topped First Flight 5-0 in last Thursday night’s Class 4A fourth round.

The top-seeded Cougars (25-1) meet second-seeded Clinton (25-2) in Tuesday night’s East Region final at home. It’s a rematch of last year’s Class 2A state final (prior to the move to an eight-classification set-up) in a game won 3-1 by Clinton.

Kevin Garcia scored two goals, Aaron Avina posted one goal and one assist and Chris Betancourt and Griffin Hall each had one goal against First Flight. Fernando Hernandez provided two assists. Jonathan Perez made four saves.

Fifth-seeded First Flight (14-4-2) was a shutout victim for the second time this season.

The East Region final is also a rematch from a Sept. 24 game, which visiting Southwestern Randolph won 5-1.

In the West Region, top-seeded Newton-Conover and second-seeded Ashe County meet for the right to advance to the state final. The Class 4A title game is set for 4:30 p.m. Friday at Guilford College’s Appenzeller Field in Greensboro.

In last week’s third round, Betancourt scored three goals and Avina had the other goal when Southeastern Randolph drilled eighth-seeded Jordan Matthews 4-0 in a clash between Four Rivers Conference rivals.

Class 6A

Asheboro’s bid to reach a state final for the second year in a row was derailed with a West Region third-round loss to second-seeded Charlotte Catholic, which won 5-1.

Despite a goal by Carlos Gonzalez, the 10th-seeded Blue Comets (17-7-3) couldn’t keep up. Going into the regional final, it marked the only time Charlotte Catholic allowed a goal in this year’s state playoffs.

Class 3A

Second-seeded Wallace Rose-Hill defeated seventh-seeded Trinity 8-2 in last week’s East Region third round.

The Bulldogs finished with an 11-9-3 record.