By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — Whether you call it reversal of fortune or mirrored redemption, the Oct. 17 high school men’s soccer match between Watauga and Alexander Central at Jack Groce Stadium was a “backatcha” moment for the host Pioneers.
After dropping a 3-0 decision to the Cougars on the road in an early season matchup on Sept. 28, the Pioneers returned the “favor” on Oct. 17, defeating the Cougars by the same 3-0 margin.
With the win, Watauga maintains its slim lead over Hibriten for first place in the Northwestern Conference standings. Although the Pioneers hold a slim advantage by virtue of their Oct. 3 defeat of the Panthers at Jack Groce Stadium, any combination of a Pioneer loss and Hibriten running the table and winning out for the remainder of the regular season would reverse the two two teams atop the NWC standings. A critical juncture in the schedule: Oct. 19 when the Pioneers travel to Lenoir to play Hibriten on the Panthers’ home turf.
Against Alexander Central, the teams battled to a 0-0 halftime score, although Watauga arguably won the possession battle even if unable to put the ball in the net. Then, early in the second half, the Pioneers’ junior midfielder Keowen Arguello broke through for the match’s first goal. Junior striker Stryker Ward followed that up with two more goals in the balance of the second half to put the match away.
“We controlled possession the entire game,” said Watauga head coach Josh Honeycutt, “so credit Alexander Central for not allowing us to score in the first half. But we finally found the net in the second half with Arguello’s score, then closed things up with Ward’s two goals.”
Next for the Pioneers is the key Oct. 19 match at Hibriten.
NORTHWESTERN CONFERENCE STANDINGS
- Watauga (6-1 NWC, 8-8-1 overall)
- Hibriten (5-1, 13-2-3)
- South Caldwell (3-3-1, 9-4-3)
- Alexander Central (3-3-1, 4-7-3)
- Ashe County (0-4-2, 8-7-3)
- Freedom (0-5-2, 5-9-3)
