Tanya Chilton | The News
Greyhound seniors and their parents are recognized during North Surry’s final home game Thursday night. They are, from left, Mitchell Midkiff with Amy Brintle; Captain Sergio Castillo with Angelica Castillo; Ryan Critz with Sam and Becky Critz; and Captain Elver Dominguez with Erika Dominguez.
Tanya Chilton | The News
The defensive Golden Eagle line tangles with the Greyhounds during Thursday’s game.
Surry Central Golden Eagles swept the soccer match last night in a 6-0 shutout against the North Surry Greyhounds.
The Eagles strategically dominated the game by double-teaming Hounds lead scorer Mitchell Midkiff, not pushing up too far, stepping up on defense and exercising disciplined ball control. TheEagles showed aggression also by taking advantage of any errors afforded them.
Coach Blake Roth of the Eagles said he was impressed by the defensive awareness that Victor Rocha, Luis Flores, Uriel Secundino and Ranferi Ramirez played with last night. Roth has been looking for these four to tighten up defense for the Golden Eagles. It happened during this match, he said. In the last three games, this defensive foursome has stingily allowed only one goal to be scored. Roth said that was when they played the South Stokes Sauras.
Juan Lopez, midfielder, played outstanding Thursday, said Roth. Lopez scored three goals and had one assist. Lopez, a senior, paid his dues, lived in the shadows of all-state players and when it came time to deliver he did not miss a beat. “He has accepted his role as team leader,” Roth said.
“Freshman Adrian Gonzalez is the type of player you don’t find every day,” said Roth. Gonzalez asserted his dominance against the Hounds by scoring one goal and contributing with one assist. Gonzalez, who played both offense and defense last night, is a “smart” player that knows how to “help the attack,” Roth said.
The Golden Eagles have had five shutouts this year.
Though the match was a shutout, Escobar said she was happy with her team’s performance against the Hounds who prevented the team’s leading scorer Midkiff from putting up any Greyhound points last night.
Midkiff has scored 19 goals for the team so far this year, said Escobar, and is a player that plays with a lot of effort.
Consistent Cris Martinez, who performs very well at midfield, and Caleb Ramey who cleared all night as sweeper are both juniors and played very well, said Escobar. She will be looking to them to continue their leadership and hard work on the field, she said.
Both goalies also did well for the Greyhounds, and freshman goalie Eli Combs allowed only one point by the Golden Eagles in the second half. Jose Espinosa played a very mentally aware game and broke up passes against an advancing Eagle team all night long.
She liked the way the seniors played Thursday and is going to miss them and their contribution to the team next season. They have supported and respected her as a first-year coach from day one, said Escobar.
She characterized Ryan Critz as a physical defender who knows how to dribble and take advantage of midfield; Elver Dominguez as a “bulldog” who goes after everything and is consistent; and Sergio Castillo as a player who knows where he needs to be on the ball and plays aggressive. Midkiff has been excellent and a top performer all season, said Escobar.
The Greyhounds next play Oct. 18 at East Surry High School, and the Eagles will face the Granite Bears at home on Tuesday.
Reach Tanya Chilton at tchilton@heartlandpublications.com or at 719-1921.
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