Surry Central 5 – 1 South Point

*Disclamier: Due to the foggy weather conditions and having no knowledge of the South Point team, I’ll be referring to their players based on their numbers. *

Surry Centrals High School Varsity soccer team hosted South Point in the second round play off game, winning 5-1 continuing their impressive season. Central dominated South point throughout the whole game, taking an early lead in the first 5 minutes. A through ball from Central defender Andres Flores to forward Andres Jaimes gave Central the lead. Jaimes struggles to keep his balance while being bodied up from the South Point defenders but manages to split the keeper and score. In the 11th minute Central scored a beautiful team goal that began from the left flank. Left midfielder Erik Cruz took on the South Point defenders with his trickery and sends a through ball to Andres Jaimes. Jaimes crosses the ball in the box to striker Edgar Vega who slips missing his shot, but right winger Orlando Ocampo scores and Central take 2-0 lead. Erik Cruz was a threat in the first half to South Point with his impressive dribbling ability and flair.

The South Point players refused to give up. In the 16th minute they send a through ball to their forward who gets behind the Central defense with a one on one shot that was saved by Freshman goalkeeper Johnny Garcia.  In the 20th minute Central left back Daniel Orozco sends a perfect cross to Ocampo from the middle of the field to the opposition box. He takes the shot and it’s caught by the South Point goalkeeper. In the 25th minute South Points number 9 is on a run but is caught up by Central defender Andres Flores, who does a perfect slide tackle on the player in the box. The ball is loose and goalkeeper Johnny Garcia grabs the ball but it slips. South Points number 9 takes the ball through and takes a shot on the clear goal, but Kevin Montero comes in and produces a last minute goal line clearance. The ball goes out for a corner and Montero’s teammates go and hug him for his heroics.

The first half ends 2-0 to Central, with the home side leading but South Point giving them some challenges throughout the half. Monteros goal line clearence and Ocampos teamwork goal were the highlights of the first half.

The second half begins and Central are awarded an early free kick in the 3rd minute. Orozco takes the free kick from 40 yards out and it goes through to Jaimes with the header. It is blocked by the goalkeeper but goes straight to Vega who scores. In the 8th minute, midfielder Axel Rangel is in the oppositions box and falls after being bodied up. While falling down, Rangel turns with ball and takes the player on. He then does a back heel that splits a defender and gets taken down for a penalty. The home crowd goes wild after that beautiful individual play by Rangel. Nolan McMillan takes the penalty and scores in the 8th minute, making it 4-0.

South Point score a consolation goal in the 18th minute of the second half. Their number 11 sends a through ball to their number 7. He outpaces the Central defense, crosses the ball and it’s goes in the net after a beautiful header. South Point make it 4-1 and their away crowd makes some noise, showing the team they have the support they need. Central respond instantly within 3 minutes, with a free kick awarded to Central at the middle of the field.  Defender Flores takes the free kick from 50 yards out , and it arrives perfectly to Vega. He controls the ball with his chest and scores his second of the night. Continuing his impressive form, being Central top scorer this season.

The second half ends and the match results is Surry Central 5 – 1 South Point. The second half showed the difference in two sides was the threat that Centrals defense had. The whole defense was in great form tonight in deserving of a clean sheet, but their ability of turning defense into attack was crucial. Flores had two assists tonight from defense and Orozco set up the second goal from his free kick. Both players ability to pass the ball from far out showed to be what gave them their deserved victory.

Surry Central are now advancing to the 3rd round in playoffs, facing East Lincoln this Thursday.