Staff Report

DOBSON — Bad luck and tough competition helped to send Surry Central soccer home a 2-0 loser to South Stokes Thursday, dropping the Golden Eagles to 4-7 overall.

While they may have a losing record, the Golden Eagles have lost twice to West Wilkes as well as once to Elkin, Forbush, Wilkes Central — and now — South Stokes, all of whom are considered among the top teams in their respective NCHSAA classifications, making Central’s schedule a list of the “who’s who” in North Carolina soccer.

“We played against a great team,” Central coach Blake Roth said. “They have truly earned their 1-A ranking.”

Roth said the Sauras used their size advantage to keep his team off the ball and away from their opponents goal for much of the game, but added that Central did not take advantage of opportunities presented.

“I don’t know if South Stokes was a better team tonight,” Roth said. “I say they were a great team and deserving of the win, but it hurts when you beat yourself. We had some offensive chances and had a couple of good shots that the keeper came up with or just went wide.”

The first goal of the day came with near 10 minutes gone in the first half off a South Stokes corner kick.

Off the kick, the ball found a cluster of players waiting in the Surry Central box, with Central’s Sara Chavez attempting to clear the ball from the fracas, knocking it off the crossbar back into the masses at the front of the net and into the Central goal.

Roth said neither side was sure of just who knocked in the score but that he was certain it was a giveaway by his Golden Eagles.

“In my mind, whether or not that hit off an arm or a stomach or whatever, that was an own goal,” Roth said. “We can’t afford to have mental breakdowns like that.”

The second goal of the day came when a South Stokes fast break beat the Central keeper after the keeper managed to place a hand on the initial shot only to slip and give up the second effort.

“We never could get it together,” Roth said. “And that’s the mark of a good team in South Stokes because they never let us get it together.”

Roth said he thought his team showed some lack of composure late in the second half Thursday, saying the Golden Eagles lost sight of the big picture while trying to make up lost ground.

“It’s kind of a desperation feeling,” he said. “It’s not getting down on ourselves, it’s just a feeling that we have to make something happen at that instant. If you just put together a good string of ideas and play intelligent things are going to happen you don’t have to make then happen.”

While 4-7 overall, Central is 3-2 in Mountain Valley 2-A Conference play, keeping them strongly in the hunt for a postseason spot.

The Golden Eagles will travel to Galax on Monday at 5:15 p.m.